Amusing four-character idioms you’ll want to use right away! A collection of expressions to remember as general knowledge.
Do you know any interesting four-character idioms? From common ones that are surprisingly useful in everyday conversation to rare expressions that might make someone ask, “What does that mean?”, there’s a truly fascinating world to explore.
We’ll introduce four-character idioms that will make you chuckle, make you think “I see!”, and make you want to start using them today.
Slip them into daily chats or on social media, and your cultural literacy is sure to get a boost! Please enjoy the profound world of four-character idioms.
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Amusing four-character idioms you’ll want to use spontaneously! A collection of expressions to know as general knowledge (11–20)
ecstatic; overjoyed; beside oneself with joy
It’s read as “uchōtengai,” and it’s a four-character idiom that describes being so overjoyed that you forget yourself and your surroundings.
It’s essentially an intensified form of the Buddhist term “uchōten” (ecstasy).
While it’s often used with a cautionary tone for someone who’s rejoicing without regard for others—like saying, “You’re getting carried away”—it’s also used to express great joy, as in, “An unbelievable, ecstatic event.” It might be fun to imagine what kind of joy could make you lose yourself, and how you would act if it actually happened.
Ikonikimi
It’s a four-character idiom with a striking, powerful visual impact.
All the characters look similar, so people seeing it for the first time might do a double-take.
It means “there’s no real difference between the two; they’re much the same.” It’s used, for example, to refer to people whose personalities or behavior are very similar, or to things that hardly differ.
Both the forms of the characters and their meaning are unique, leaving an unforgettable impression once you learn it.
It’s also a fun conversation piece and a bit of mental exercise for older folks—turning it into a quiz like “How do you read this?” or using it as an icebreaker would likely liven up the conversation.
Gokuraku-tonbo (carefree person; lit. “paradise dragonfly”)
Some people might be reminded of a certain comedian by how it sounds, but in fact it’s a bona fide four-character idiom.
It means “a person who lives carefree, playing around without thinking about the future.” Combining the image of a dragonfly flitting about and the word “paradise,” it has come to symbolize a laid-back, optimistic personality.
It can be used to tease someone with a touch of irony, but it also carries an endearing charm that keeps it from feeling mean.
Older folks may feel nostalgic, thinking, “We used to use this expression a lot back in the day.”
leading by example
There are people who, day in and day out, behave in ways that are admirable and worth emulating.
For such individuals, this expression—used to describe setting a model example and serving as a role model for everyone—is a perfect fit.
Once you understand its meaning, it makes you sit up straight and think, “I should pull myself together.” Older adults who see this four-character idiom might also feel more positive after learning what it means.
And those who know a leader type close to them may be pleased to learn a four-character idiom they can use for that person, happy to have gained some new knowledge.
indomitable; unyielding; untiring perseverance
@kurukoba Four-character idioms translationIndomitable and unyielding
♬ Original Song – Bird v🔍💙 – Hour of Four Ripe
Futō Fukutsu is a term that expresses the attitude of never yielding in the face of difficulty and maintaining a strong will.
It carries the meaning of neither bending nor giving in, and it signifies the power to uphold one’s convictions and move forward even in adversity.
Life brings unexpected events and unavoidable trials, and it is important to cultivate the mindset to confront them without giving up.
For older adults as well, this word can serve as a guiding light that supports the heart when facing changes in physical strength or environment in daily life.
It symbolizes an unbreakable spirit that gives the courage to keep challenging oneself.
bizarre; mysterious; strange and uncanny (kiki-kaikai)
A four-character idiom meaning “something very strange and beyond ordinary understanding,” it has long been used to refer to ghost stories and mysterious happenings.
Many older people will naturally have heard it.
With a catchy rhythm that even children want to imitate, it’s friendly on the surface, yet its content is a bit eerie and mysterious.
It carries a nostalgic ring that recalls ghost-story programs and storytelling shows from the Showa era.
Used in daily life, it’s a handy word that can liven up a conversation with a touch of humor.
Amusing Four-Character Idioms You'll Want to Use! A Collection of Expressions to Know as General Knowledge (21–30)
every nook and cranny
Among four-character idioms, some have a sound that just makes you want to say them out loud.
This expression is one of them.
It means “all over the country, everywhere,” but don’t its humorous look and catchy rhythm feel strangely appealing? It has a light, song-like bounce to it, making it exceptionally easy to remember.
Since ancient times it has been used in waka and haiku, cherished as a handy phrase to denote the broader world.
Today it also appears in news and advertising, often used to emphasize geographic breadth.