Four-character idioms that express an indomitable spirit! Words to know when facing difficulties
Life is full of setbacks and hardships, but maintaining a “never give up” attitude is what matters most.
Four-character idioms that express this forward-looking spirit carry profound meanings that resonate with the heart.
In tough times, when you’re in trouble, or when you want to motivate yourself, finding the right words can give you courage.
In this article, we introduce four-character idioms that embody an indomitable spirit.
These are expressions you can use in many situations, and you’re sure to find words that will become a source of support for your heart.
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Four-character idioms that embody a never-give-up spirit! Words to know when facing difficulties (11–20)
a hard-fought struggle
“Akusen-kutou” refers to struggling through a very difficult battle and making every effort to overcome it.
In sports matches or games where there’s a winner and a loser, you sometimes find yourself on the verge of defeat.
But you can’t win if you give up there.
Remember the word “akusen-kutou” and hang in there.
By doing so, you might just turn the situation around.
The strength to never give up, no matter the circumstances, will surely become a great source of power for you.
soaring spirit; indomitable morale; spirits running high
When it looks like you’re about to lose a match, even if you tell yourself not to lose heart, your morale inevitably dips, doesn’t it? That’s exactly when I want you to remember this phrase: “ikishōten” (意気衝天).
It describes a state of being extremely motivated and brimming with energy.
If you recall it when you need a boost, it might help lift your spirits.
And once your mindset rebounds, you may start to see a path to victory in the match.
It’s a very positive expression, so be sure to keep it in mind!
Single-minded focus spanning a vast distance
@yoji_jukuko Four-character idiomTranslationtranslationA clear sky stretching for ten thousand milesThis is a revised thumbnail for a past video.
♬ Escort – MoppySound
This phrase originates from The Book of Five Rings by the swordsman Miyamoto Musashi.
Literally, it is a four-character idiom that expresses the idea that no matter how far you go, the world lies under the same sky.
By extension, it has come to mean “to keep striving toward a single goal.” The higher the goal, the longer the journey and the more effort it requires.
Like the sky that stretches on forever, a bright future surely awaits beyond those efforts.
When times are tough, look up at the sky and remember these words.
The return of the sun; the turning of the tide toward good fortune (often used to mean a revival or a new beginning after adversity).
@hjc.aki Ichi-yō rai-fuku: Winter will surely end and spring will come; tough times will surely end and happiness will arrive.The return of the sun (symbolizing the turning of misfortune to good fortune)translationCalligrapherCalligraphyTranslation
♬ Soranji – Mrs. GREEN APPLE
Like the end of a cold winter and the gentle return of spring, the four-character idiom “Ichiyō Raifuku” means that good fortune comes after a spell of misfortune.
On days when you fail at studying or sports, or when something sad happens, you may worry that things will stay this way forever.
Even so, time moves forward little by little, and a new light begins to shine into your heart.
Even if school life doesn’t go smoothly, by continuing to move forward—even if only in small steps—the situation will surely change.
It is a four-character idiom that gives you the courage to keep hope in your heart.
hard struggle; bitter hardship; to struggle mightily
It’s a four-character idiom that looks unfamiliar, but it’s read as “kushin-santan.” “Kushin” refers to thinking while enduring hardship, and “santan” seems to mean agonizing while pouring your heart into something.
When you’re striving toward a goal, it’s not only about clear, visible results or numbers—you often struggle mentally and emotionally as well.
This idiom feels like one that can support your heart during those times.
It’s perfect for someone like you, who believes that effort leads to achieving your goals and keeps pushing forward!
inspiration and encouragement
Kobu refers to boosting morale by performing a dance while beating drums, thereby stirring the spirit and drawing out motivation.
Gekirei means to encourage someone vigorously and rouse them.
These two words carry similar meanings, and when combined, they form a four-character idiom that emphasizes the sense even more.
It is used in expressions such as: “After receiving kobu-gekirei from the baseball team’s coach, the members’ morale rose greatly,” and “My respected mentor kept offering me unyielding kobu-gekirei when I was struggling with my future.”
Four-character idioms that embody an indomitable spirit! Words to know when facing difficulties (21–30)
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)!