Become positive with four-character idioms that resonate with the heart! Common yet deeply meaningful words.

Deputy Editor of RAG MUSICsasashina
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. I’m Sasashina, a mom currently raising an elementary schooler and a preschooler. During my student years at Kyoto College of Science and Technology, I studied a wide range of fields including sound, lighting, and video technology, building a foundation in comprehensive stage production and creative expression. After graduation, I joined a music production company, where I still work, consistently building experience in production and engaging in a variety of music-centered tasks. Currently, I mainly handle articles for children, drawing on what I’ve learned about parenting and what I feel and discover through daily interactions with my kids. I hope my work can be of help to you, even in a small way!

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.

Become positive with four-character idioms that resonate with the heart! Common yet deeply meaningful expressions (101–110)

flexible; adaptable; responding appropriately to the situation

Taking appropriate actions according to the situation at hand—that is what we call being “flexible and adaptable.” For example, saying, “We planned to go to the pool today, but since it started raining, we decided to watch anime at home instead,” is an example of adaptability.

Even when faced with bad weather, finding another way to enjoy yourself—isn’t that wonderful? Take this opportunity to learn the term ‘flexible and adaptable’ (rinkiohen), and be sure to develop the ability to handle troubles with resilience and flexibility.

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sasashina

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self-praise

This is a four-character idiom that describes praising or boasting about one’s own actions and thoughts.

It comes from the image of someone writing a poem or prose praising a picture they themselves painted.

People often confuse the characters for “painting” and “self,” so be careful.

Because it carries a strong negative nuance and is mainly used to criticize conceited people, you should use it with caution.

If you deliberately apply it to yourself, though, it can suggest that you’re moving forward in your own way and taking on challenges with confidence.

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kappamaki

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Wind, Forest, Fire, Mountain

People say, “His life is like Fūrinkazan.” This sentence means that he responds flexibly to various situations and takes bold action as needed.

“Fūrinkazan” is a famous four-character idiom written on the war banner of the warlord Takeda Shingen.

When using the idiom “Fūrinkazan,” it’s clearer to the listener if you explain specifically how each element—wind, forest, fire, and mountain—maps to actions, behaviors, or states.

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mayumi