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)
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.
Indomitable (unyielding despite repeated setbacks)
@kuroe_voice Four-character idiom for those who strive: “Hyakusetsu-futō” (literally, “bent a hundred times, never broken”). May it offer you even a little encouragement.Words that resonate with the hearttranslationVoice actorvoice
Original Song – Genki Kuroe [KUROE GENKI] – Genki Kuroe [KUROE GENKI] / Voice Actor · Narrator
Literally meaning “not yielding even if bent a hundred times,” the phrase hyakusetsu-futō expresses a strong will that never breaks.
It describes an attitude of facing difficulties or daunting obstacles without compromising one’s convictions, continuing to strive toward one’s goals.
It’s an easy four-character idiom to use in everyday conversation, as in: “We’ll tackle the project with a hyakusetsu-futō spirit,” or “She kept a hyakusetsu-futō spirit and finally achieved her goal.” In life, there are times when we feel on the verge of being discouraged.
Let’s keep moving forward with a hyakusetsu-futō spirit, believing that our efforts will bear fruit someday.
Four-character idioms that embody an unyielding spirit! Words to know when facing difficulties (41–50)
to make every possible effort; to devote oneself body and soul (lit. “to break one’s bones and smash one’s body”)
@az0202za to make every effort; to work oneself to the bone; to devote oneself wholeheartedlyHashtag: #FunkotsuSaishintranslation effort
♬ Original Song – 0202civo – az0202za
Recorded in ancient Chinese texts, “粉骨砕身” (funkotsu-saishin) is a Buddhist term handed down since antiquity that expresses a firm will and resolve to achieve one’s goal even if it means shattering one’s body to pieces.
As a phrase declaring one’s commitment to give everything and strive to the utmost, this four-character idiom is often used in political speeches, business settings, and job hunting.
However, because it implies self-sacrifice—effort to the point of breaking one’s body—it is best to use it with that nuance in mind.
march forward bravely
“Yūōmaishin” (勇往邁進) means to press forward boldly and fearlessly toward the goals or path you believe in.
“Yūō” means to advance without hesitation, and “maishin” means to push ahead toward a purpose without fear.
Both words convey the idea of moving forward, and combining them intensifies the meaning.
It’s often used as a very positive expression and is popular as a personal motto or slogan.
It’s a four-character idiom worth remembering as a phrase that stirs your spirit.