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 express an indomitable spirit! Words to know when facing difficulties (31–40)
consistency
This four-character idiom is perfect for those who want to live guided by their own compass and pursue goals they set for themselves.
“Shubi-ikkan” (consistency from start to finish) means that one’s direction and thinking remain unchanged from beginning to end, with a coherent throughline.
As you work toward your goals, you’ll likely encounter troubles and obstacles, but why not make it your resolution this year to maintain unwavering determination to achieve the goals you’ve chosen? It’s a mindset that applies both to work and to your personal life.
Say what you mean, do what you say.
@az0202za #SayAndDo #YuugenJikkou (Keeping your word and following through) #FourCharacterIdiom #Learning
♬ Original Song – 0202civo – az0202za
Study for one hour every day.
Help out at home at least once a day.
Many elementary school children set various goals like these.
But are they really achieving them? The phrase “say it and do it” means to firmly follow through on what you declare.
If your child often says things but doesn’t act on them, or tends to break promises, have them write this phrase in their first calligraphy of the year and make this the year they steadily achieve the goals they speak aloud!
Design misery; a devastated state of design (ishō-santan)
It is a phrase that means “to think deeply and, though it may be difficult, devise creative ways” rather than taking the easy route in order to accomplish things.
It expresses an attitude of persevering through hardship while applying ingenuity.
For older adults as well, having faced numerous challenges and engaged in repeated trial and error throughout life is a great asset.
When confronting everyday tasks or health concerns, they can overcome them with wisdom and resourcefulness.
This phrase affirms the value of hardship and teaches that maintaining effort will surely open the way to the future—a memorable and encouraging message.
Where there’s a will, there’s a way.
Seishin-ittō is a four-character idiom with a positive meaning: “effort will surely be rewarded.” It’s a phrase I’d like to offer to anyone steadily working toward a goal.
It conveys that if you focus your mind and make a dedicated effort, you can accomplish anything.
On the way toward high ambitions, you may hit daunting walls and experience setbacks.
Yet strong will and effort can turn even the impossible into possible.
It’s a recommended phrase to give you a push when you feel like giving up.
a firm resolve; a determined decision to start anew (ichinen hokki)
https://www.tiktok.com/@chaos_..8/video/7522811755517480199Originally a Buddhist term meaning “to rouse the mind that single-mindedly seeks enlightenment,” it has come to be widely used in the sense of “resolving to accomplish something.” It’s a four-character idiom often used when making firm resolutions like “quit smoking,” “go on a diet,” or “run every day.” It might be nice to set ‘ichinen hokki’ as a New Year’s goal.
Even if you haven’t decided exactly what to do, it conveys the feeling that you want to do something.
Carry out one’s original intention to the end
@az0202za #StickToYourOriginalIntentions #Shoshikantetsu #FourCharacterIdiom #Learning
♬ Original Song – 0202civo – az0202za
As the saying goes, “Never forget your original intention,” we should always hold on to the earnestness and humility we had when we first began anything.
The four-character idiom shoshi kantetsu (初志貫徹) emphasizes the importance of carrying through the initial resolve you made when you set your goal.
On the long road to achieving a goal, we inevitably face difficulties and moments of doubt.
At times, we may even experience setbacks so great that our spirits feel close to breaking.
In such moments, remember your original resolve and rouse yourself with the determination to see it through no matter what.
Fall down seven times, get up eight.
As the saying goes, “fall seven times, stand up eight,” this four-character idiom expresses the spirit of rising again no matter how many times you fail.
It symbolizes the resilience to face difficulties without yielding and to keep challenging oneself time and again.
Life inevitably brings unexpected setbacks and failures, but each time we recover, we grow stronger.
Especially for older adults, it offers the courage to overcome age-related physical limitations and changes in social roles.
By reminding us to step forward again and again instead of standing still, it inspires hope and vitality—a powerful, life-affirming phrase that encourages us to keep going.
charging ahead recklessly; headlong rush; rushing blindly forward (chototsu moushin)
It means “to charge straight ahead looking only forward, like a wild boar.” If a boar came at you with its tusks up at incredible speed, even a big burly man would surely tremble.
Some may feel discouraged, saying, “I’ve gotten quite old, so I can’t go charging ahead like a boar anymore…” but I want to believe what matters is your mindset.
Master your favorite hobby even further, start a new venture—those straightforward boar-like feelings should still be sleeping deep in your heart no matter how old you are.
Your journey is only just beginning!
single-minded devotion
@yojijyukugo.seizan translationworking adultTranslationstudy
♬ Original Song – Sacred Mountain – Four-character idiom / Sacred Mountain
Ichiisenshin, an expression that means focusing your mind on a single goal or matter and devoting yourself to it with enthusiasm, emphasizes the importance of working diligently to achieve your aims.
Both ichi’i and senshin mean concentrating your mind on one thing and striving without letting your attention drift to anything else.
Combining two words with the same meaning gives the phrase stronger emphasis.
For example: “Let’s tackle the issue with single-minded devotion,” or “Without a single-minded attitude, you can’t achieve your goals.” Why not try incorporating it into your daily conversations?
Say it, do it; following through on one’s words
@az0202za #SayAndDo #YuugenJikkou (Keeping your word and following through) #FourCharacterIdiom #Learning
♬ Original Song – 0202civo – az0202za
One of the well-known four-character idioms that represents goals and effort is “yūgen jikkō” (literally, “spoken words, carried out”).
This phrase means to always follow through on what you say and the promises you make, expressing a strong sense of responsibility and will to keep one’s word, as well as an attitude of backing words with actions.
Some people even state their goals out loud on purpose to convey a strong determination to definitely achieve them.
The expression “fugen jikkō,” which is often used as the opposite of “yūgen jikkō,” means to act without speaking about it, so it’s good to know the meaning of both.