Four-character idioms that pioneer the future: powerful words that express challenge and effort, perfect as personal mottos.
When you have a goal or are taking on a new challenge, it’s reassuring to have words that fire you up.
There are times in life when things don’t go as planned or you feel like giving up.
In such moments, the power of four-character idioms can gently push you forward.
In this article, we’ve gathered four-character idioms that symbolize the courage to face difficulties and the perseverance to keep moving toward your goals.
From expressions that embody unwavering conviction to those that teach the value of small daily efforts, each idiom offers hints for opening up your future.
Whether you’re searching for a personal motto or looking for words to give to someone important, take your time and have a look.
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Four-character idioms that pave the way to the future: powerful words expressing challenge and effort, perfect as personal mottos (1–10)
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 single resolve can reach the heavens.
@az0202za Ichinen Tsūten — Single-minded devotion reaches the heavens. #ichinen-tsuuten #yojijukugo
♬ Original Song – 0202civo – az0202za
It’s a phrase meaning that if you tackle something with unwavering conviction, your resolve will surely reach the heavens and be accomplished.
“Ichinen” refers to a single-minded, intense focus on one thing, and “tsūten” means that one’s resolve reaches heaven.
Unlike just “trying hard,” it’s used with respect and encouragement for people who stick to their beliefs even when others oppose them, or who take on difficult goals.
For example: “The way Mr./Ms.
____ dedicates themself to poetry is truly ichinen tsūten.” It’s a word that can serve as emotional support when pursuing a goal with strong conviction.
Single-minded focus spanning a vast distance
@hiroaki946 Banri Ikkuu Shorts short video mini video idiom four-character idioms proverbs Japanese meaning of words wordplay learning education trivia Japanese culture pastime study knowledge trivia everyday life the power of words VOICEVOX: Shikoku Metan Satisfying four-character idiom to hear: “Banri Ikkuu.” Example sentence: After starting his company, Mr. Yamada faced many difficulties over several years, but each time he handled them calmly and always kept a broad perspective, looking ahead to the company’s future. One day, he gathered all the employees and said, “The goal we should aim for is not merely to solve the problems in front of us, but to achieve growth with a view to a more distant future.” Inspired by this “Banri Ikkuu” spirit, the employees united as one and pledged to work hard for the company’s future. Meaning: “Banri Ikkuu” literally describes a vast landscape stretching out under a single, continuous sky. This four-character idiom symbolizes having clear foresight and a broad perspective. It is especially used to refer to people or situations that can see far ahead into the future. That is all.
Original song – hiroaki946 – hiroaki946
Pronounced “banri ikkū.” “Banri” means “a vast distance,” and “ikkū” means “one sky.” Originally, it conveyed the idea that no matter how far you travel, the sky is one and continuous.
Today, however, it is used to mean persevering and continuing to make efforts toward a goal without giving up.
Even if your goal feels distant, believing that steady effort will get you there can encourage you to think, “I’ll try a little harder.”
Four-character idioms that open up the future: powerful words expressing challenge and effort, perfect as personal mottos (11–20)
indomitable; unyielding
@kurukoba Four-character idioms translationIndomitable and unyielding
♬ Original Song – Bird v🔍💙 – Hour of Four Ripe
It’s a four-character idiom that means to face any hardship or adversity without yielding or losing heart.
In life, unexpected troubles and trials may arise, but this expression symbolizes an attitude of not giving up and persevering with steady effort even in such situations.
It’s not mere tough-mindedness; it combines flexibility with strong will, drawing on inner strength to overcome difficulties.
By keeping this in mind, you can find the courage to confront challenges and maintain a positive outlook as you go about your days.
Dripping water wears away stone.
@otoko_zyku Dripping water wears through stone, for those who make no effort.Quotes of life#ManlinessBushidoMotivationJapanese man
♬ Original Track – otoko_zyku – otoko_zyku
Just as a single drop of water bores a hole in stone over a long time, it teaches us that small, daily accumulations and efforts eventually yield great results.
In life, work, and learning, things often don’t go well after one or two attempts, and there are moments when we feel like giving up.
This saying highlights the importance of steady, patient effort, reminding us not to belittle daily work and to persist with tenacity, while also encouraging a positive mindset.
It is an idiom that gives us the courage to trust ourselves and keep going without being swayed by the lure of short-term success.
strenuous effort; hard-fought struggle
It’s a four-character idiom that expresses fighting with every ounce of strength and mustering the courage to face difficulties.
“Rikisen” conveys the state of battling with full force, while “funtō” conveys the act of rousing one’s spirit to confront challenges.
By combining these two stances of confrontation, the expression emphasizes a sense of power.
Another key point is that it contains two characters related to combat, clearly conveying the fact of standing up to a challenge.
Depending on how you pair it with your goal, you can strongly convey your own mindset.
to devote oneself body and soul; to make every possible effort; with utmost dedication
It’s a phrase that means to work with all your might, to the point of grinding your bones to dust and breaking your body.
It symbolizes an attitude of giving everything you have and never giving up until the end, conveying strong determination and passion.
Despite being just four characters long, it encapsulates the importance of effort and seriousness.
It teaches us to approach everything we challenge in daily life with our full strength.
It’s a phrase that reminds us to take one step at a time and give our all, even in the face of difficulties.