Four-character idioms for New Year’s resolutions! A collection of motivational phrase ideas

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.

When welcoming a new year, how about expressing your resolutions with four-character idioms? Traditional Japanese yoji-jukugo are full of words that powerfully convey determination and hopes.

From upbeat phrases to start the year to expressions that value your individuality, exploring various idioms may lead to new discoveries.

Savor their sound and meaning as you search for the four-character idiom that will guide you throughout the year.

And together with your family or friends, try creating a heartwarming moment by sharing and discussing each person’s aspirations!

Four-character idioms perfect for New Year’s resolutions! A collection of motivating phrase ideas (21–30)

single-minded devotion

@yojijyukugo.seizan
translation working adult Translation study
♬ Original Song – Sacred Mountain – Four-character idiom / Sacred Mountain

Our daily lives are crammed with tasks, and before we know it, the day is over.

People today are always busy and rarely able to devote time to just one thing.

Yet there are times when we must focus and tackle something with full attention.

That’s when I recommend the phrase ichii-senshin.

It’s read “ichii-senshin” and means to concentrate on one single matter.

By forgetting everything else and focusing on what’s in front of you, your senses sharpen and it becomes easier to achieve results.

If you’re easily distracted or constantly busy, take this opportunity to remember this phrase.

Raise the rankinglower

sasashina

Report a problem

Forge ahead with courage

@az0202za
#GoForwardBravely #YūōMaishin #FourCharacterIdiom #ABitTimid
♬ Original Song – 0202civo – az0202za

There are times when, imagining the road to the goal, you just can’t find the courage to take the first step.

If the path is steep and difficult, no one wants to move forward.

But you also know that sometimes you simply have to, and that nothing will change if you don’t.

So I’d like to give you this four-character idiom: 勇往邁進 (yūō maishin).

It means to advance bravely and without fear toward your objective.

Many people adopt it as a personal motto—so take this opportunity to engrave it in your heart, and recall it whenever you need to rouse your spirit.

Raise the rankinglower

sasashina

Report a problem

diligent effort

@0qf_harvey_3005
diligent effort#shorts translation Proverb
♬ original sound – 0qf_harvey_3005 – 0qf_harvey_3005

Pronounced “funrei-doryoku,” this four-character idiom means to muster your spirit and devote yourself wholeheartedly to your goal.

When you want to succeed at something, you need energy, effort, and a strong will to see it through.

If you find it hard to stay positive or feel your motivation slipping, try recalling this phrase to draw out your inner strength.

Because it serves as a mental pillar, it also makes a great personal motto or New Year’s resolution.

Raise the rankinglower

sasashina

Report a problem

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)!

Raise the rankinglower

Taki no namida pin ku

Report a problem