Become positive with four-character idioms that resonate with the heart! Common yet deeply meaningful words.
Four-character idioms that express a positive mindset—such as “nanakorobi yaoki” (fall down seven times, get up eight), “shinki itten” (a fresh start), and “futō fukutsu” (unyielding and indomitable)—can support our hearts when we feel down or face difficulties.
These idioms, infused with the wisdom of the ancients, have the power to gently nudge us forward in our modern lives.
In this article, we’ll introduce commonly used, uplifting four-character idioms, along with their meanings and how to use them.
Encountering words that encourage you in everyday life will surely bring a fresh breeze to your heart.
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Become Positive with Four-Character Idioms That Resonate with the Heart! Common Yet Deeply Meaningful Words (91–100)
Late bloomer
This four-character idiom expresses the idea that great talent and extraordinary people often go unnoticed in their youth and achieve greatness later than others.
Just as it takes time to craft a large vessel, it likewise takes time to shape a great person.
Its origin is said to come from the writings of Laozi, the ancient Chinese philosopher, which shows it’s a phrase with historical depth.
It also conveys a positive outlook: the fact that one hasn’t succeeded yet means they’re accumulating the ability needed for the future.
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.
Become positive with four-character idioms that resonate with the heart! Common yet deeply meaningful expressions (101–110)
self-serving; putting one’s own interests first; bending things to one’s advantage
It’s a four-character idiom that carries a somewhat negative image, referring to actions or interpretations that consider only one’s own convenience without regard for others.
As the characters suggest—“drawing water only to one’s own rice field”—it’s used to describe a self-centered attitude.
It’s used when criticizing someone or when you feel someone is imposing their own convenience on others.
Because it implies self-centeredness, deliberately using this term can also express confidence in one’s individuality or a determination to charge ahead as one sees fit.
steady progress day by day; making rapid strides
It’s a four-character idiom that expresses continuous, unbroken, and rapid progress—a phrase that conveys a strong sense of growth.
It’s said that “month” and “step” were added to “daily advance” (nisshin) to supplement its meaning, forming this word.
People often think it describes slow, gradual growth, but that’s incorrect; if anything, it’s used to express rapid growth.
Because it’s frequently used when one is impressed by growth or development, the term carries a strongly positive nuance.
Learning new things by revisiting the old
When you’re studying history, you might wonder, “Why do I need to learn about things that are already over?” In times like that, remember this four-character idiom: Onko chishin.
It means gaining new knowledge by learning from the past.
For example, say you try something and fail.
If you leave it at that, it’s just the past.
But if you think about why you failed and find a new approach, it can lead to success next time.
Even things that don’t seem necessary now might actually be connected to a better future for you.
being absorbed in something; being frantic; in a daze; wholeheartedly; with all one’s might
The state of being so absorbed or captivated by one thing that you lose sight of your surroundings or even yourself is expressed as “muga-muchu” (literally, selfless absorption).
There are times when we forget the time while reading or playing games, right? And when you’re running away from the ‘oni’ in a game of tag, everyone runs in a muga-muchu state.
It’s a four-character idiom you surprisingly encounter often in daily life and is easy to use.
Getting engrossed in something is a wonderful thing, but if you get too absorbed without paying attention to your surroundings, it can lead to injury, so it’s something to be careful about.
battle-hardened; seasoned (literally: experienced in a hundred battles)
This four-character idiom describes an excellent state in which one’s martial skills, mind and body, and abilities have been honed through numerous real battles and experiences.
“Hyaku” (hundred) signifies a large number, expressing repeated combat, while “renma” means to polish and refine martial arts.
By using this phrase, you convey that you’ve thoroughly accumulated experience and also express the will to push forward.
It evokes the image of mustering confidence to advance by making use of all past experience.