Four-character idioms that help you achieve goals! Phrases you can use in everyday situations
Four-character idioms like “united as one” (icchi danketsu) and “fall down seven times, get up eight” (shichiten hakki) are familiar parts of our everyday language.
Simple yet powerfully persuasive, these idioms can support us when we set goals.
Among the commonly used idioms, some even contain hints for achieving your dreams and ideals.
In this article, we’ll introduce four-character idioms that are helpful for people working toward their goals, along with their meanings and example sentences.
Let these resonant words help you take steady steps toward the future you envision.
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Four-character idioms that help you achieve goals! Phrases you can use in everyday situations (11–20)
to devote oneself body and soul; to make every possible effort; with utmost dedication
I feel it’s a phrase that expresses an attitude of giving your all.
It’s a very powerful expression, implying the resolve to work so hard you’d grind your bones to dust and exhaust yourself.
In everyday life—whether it’s work, studying, housework, or hobbies—there are moments when we’re tempted to cut corners, but remembering this phrase makes me feel like I can tell myself, “Let’s give it our best here.” It may sound exaggerated, but thinking that even small daily efforts and moments of focus connect to the spirit of this phrase is encouraging.
It’s a four-character idiom that reminds us of the importance of facing things wholeheartedly and gives us a push forward.
to cover the sky and the earthNEW!
From the idea of using the sky as a roof and the earth as a mat, this four-character idiom expresses broad-mindedness and lofty ambition.
It’s used as in, “He is a makuten-sekichi type of person, unbound by worldly conventions.” Its origin traces back to a phrase in Ode to the Virtue of Wine by Liu Ling, a thinker of the Jin dynasty: “幕天席地 縱意所如,” meaning to use the sky as a ceiling and the ground as a seat, living as one’s heart leads.
By the way, in English, it might be akin to “ambitious,” as in the phrase “Boys, be ambitious.”
majestic and dignifiedNEW!
This four-character idiom describes a dignified and imposing attitude or conduct.
“Ifu” refers to an aura of dignity and a forcefulness that overwhelms others, while “dōdō” means being unflinching, confident, and splendid.
It can describe people—“The victorious athlete cut an imposing and dignified figure”—as well as things, such as buildings—“The Western-style mansion was so grand and imposing that it overshadowed the other structures.” The phrase “Ifūdōdō” also brings to mind Elgar’s march “Pomp and Circumstance.” It’s a familiar tune, often used as background music in commercials.
calm and composed
What were your reflections on last year? If asked that, everyone would probably recall various mistakes.
Among them, there may be experiences where you think, “If only I had stayed calm and taken my time, I wouldn’t have failed.” With that in mind, why not set your resolution this year as taizen-jijaku—a state of being calm and unshaken? Taizen-jijaku refers to maintaining a composed mind and never losing your cool.
If you can make taizen-jijaku your ally, you’ll be able to judge things calmly with a broad perspective, and your mistakes might decrease dramatically.
firm principles
Shisō-kengo is read “shisō kengo” and seems to mean firmly upholding one’s own ideals, convictions, and code without ever changing them.
Even in the days when you’re striving toward the future you’ve chosen, your feelings may waver and your convictions may seem to falter.
But that’s exactly when you should recall your beliefs and keep the promises you’ve made to yourself as you move forward.
Writing this four-character idiom somewhere visible at home or in your office could serve as a switch to fire you up.
diligent and conscientious
It’s pronounced “seirei kakkin,” and it seems to mean devoting yourself wholeheartedly and tackling things straight on.
“Seirei” refers to applying yourself with all your might, and “kakkin” is said to mean working diligently and faithfully with humility.
When you set a goal you want to achieve, you want to face it honestly and directly, and keep putting in steady effort, right? This is one of those four-character idioms you might want to engrave in your heart when you find a goal that makes you want to give it your all.
Try leaving a note where you’ll see it in your daily life to lift your spirits.
Four-character idioms that help you achieve goals! Useful expressions for everyday situations (21–30)
unite efforts with one heart
@kurukoba Four-character idioms translationWork together with united strength
♬ Original Song – Bird v🔍💙 – Hour of Four Ripe
This four-character idiom is especially recommended for those who play team sports or group competitions.
Rikuryoku kyōshin (戮力協心) means “to unite hearts and work together,” with everyone joining forces as one.
In sports, things don’t go well if only one person tries hard, right? It’s essential for everyone to share the same goal and keep in step.
Doing so multiplies your strength many times over.
Developing a sense of camaraderie brings teammates closer and helps you support each other emotionally, so take this opportunity to remember it.