[Four-Character Idioms] Impressive and Cool Sound! A Collection of Famous Quotes Worth Knowing as General Knowledge
“Lion-like valor,” “a match for a thousand,” “battle-hardened”…
There’s an undeniable coolness to four-character idioms, isn’t there? If you can use them well, your everyday conversations and writing will feel much tighter, and your intellectual appeal will rise.
What’s more, the world of these idioms is incredibly deep—from phrases everyone knows to rare ones that make you go ‘Wow!’ In this article, we’ll introduce stylish four-character idioms you can use in daily life.
It’s packed with expressions that shine not only in business settings but also on social media and in messages.
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[Yojijukugo] Strikingly Cool-Sounding! A Collection of Quotations Worth Knowing as General Knowledge (31–40)
turn over a new leaf
Simply put, it means “Correct what was wrong and move forward each day as a new you.” Some people brood endlessly over what’s past; others shrug off unpleasant things in no time—everyone has their own temperament.
You might think, “Ah, I wish I had a straightforward, no-nonsense personality like that,” but even those forthright people have their own worries.
You could call it a matter of mindset, and leave it at that, but I believe the phrase ‘kaika jishin’—amending past faults and renewing oneself—will give your slightly downcast heart a timely lift.
The characters are different, but renewing yourself (自新, jishin) also becomes self-confidence (自信, jishin)!
a do-or-die gamble
In life, there are times when you have to take a chance even if it involves risk.
The four-character idiom that captures exactly such a situation is kenkon ittēki (乾坤一擲).
It is read “kenkon ittēki” and is said to originate from a line in the poem ‘Crossing the Honggou’ by the Chinese poet Han Yu.
Kenkon refers to heaven and earth, or to the faces of dice, and ittēki means to make a single throw and stake everything on the outcome.
This expression is often adopted as a personal motto by businesspeople and athletes, and is used when one wants to convey a strong spirit ready to make a decisive, high-stakes move.
Once-in-a-lifetime encounter
「一期一会」（いちごいちえ）という四字熟語は、英語で “a once-in-a-lifetime encounter” を意味します。茶道に由来し、同じ集まりは二度と繰り返されないという価値観から、参加者同士が互いに最大限の誠意をもって接すべきだという心構えを育みます。
I think this is a wonderful philosophy, so why not make it your New Year’s resolution? By seeing every meeting with others and every spark for new work as a one-time opportunity, you’ll be inclined to respond more thoughtfully.
Sincerity toward others goes around and, I’m sure, will ultimately lead to your own happiness as well.
fair and square
This four-character idiom, often heard as a personal motto, might be a great choice to adopt as your New Year’s resolution for the coming year.
Kōmei seidai means being fair and impartial, transparent, and acting and thinking in an open, aboveboard manner.
It’s an expression that encourages us to abandon little white lies and the urge to cut corners, and to resolve to treat everyone without discrimination.
By breaking down barriers of age and gender, it inspires us to be honest and straightforward with both ourselves and others.
bright future
The four-character idiom zento-yoyo (前途洋々) carries a positive meaning that suggests a future full of hope.
At New Year’s, many people set goals with hopes like “What kind of year will it be?” and “I want to have a happy year.” Thinking that the future is brimming with possibility and hope can help you get off to a great start! It’s also a good idea to write down the four-character idiom you’ve chosen as your New Year’s resolution and keep it where you’ll see it in daily life—at home or in your planner—as a kind of good-luck charm.
Let’s start the New Year on a positive note!
[Yojijukugo] Strikingly Cool-Sounding! A Collection of Quotations You Should Know as General Knowledge (41–50)
ingenuity and creativity
We live in a world where most questions can be answered by searching online.
Still, thinking and acting for yourself is an irreplaceable experience and a valuable asset for anyone.
There are many easy and convenient paths, but if you want to grow in the new year, try embracing ingenuity and creativity.
The time you spend thinking with your own mind and encountering new discoveries and possibilities will surely be enjoyable and fulfilling.
Even if the answer you reach is wrong, don’t worry—consider failure the foundation of success, broaden your perspective, and keep exploring original ideas and flashes of inspiration.
To each their own.
“Jūnin toiro” is a four-character idiom meaning that if there are ten people, there are ten different ways of thinking and ten different personalities.
It’s a New Year’s resolution I recommend to those who can’t help but compare themselves to others’ individuality.
With the spread of social media, many of us see too much of other people’s lives and end up comparing ourselves.
But each person has their own unique traits and strengths, and because there’s no one identical to you, it’s all the more important to cherish yourself—and others as well.
It’s a wonderful idiom that encourages valuing both yourself and those around you.