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)
telepathy; tacit understanding (literally: ‘heart-to-heart communication’)
Communicating solely through the heart is called “ishin-denshin.” Normally, when we convey something to someone, we use spoken or written words.
But there are times when it’s hard to express things in words.
In such moments, it’s nice to have someone who can pick up on how you feel.
With a close friend, you may sometimes understand each other without putting your feelings into words.
Someone you can share ishin-denshin with is likely a person who always pays close attention to you and understands you deeply.
to be surrounded on all sides; isolated with no allies (literally: ‘songs of Chu on all four sides’)
“Shimensoka” is read as ‘shi-men-so-ka’ and refers to a situation where you’re surrounded by enemies with no allies.
For an elementary schooler, it’s like playing tag or dodgeball and everyone else becomes ‘it’ or moves to the outside, leaving only you in the middle… You’ve probably experienced that kind of situation.
That is exactly what ‘shimensoka’ describes.
Expressions like “isolated and without support” or “all is lost” carry similar meanings.
Because ‘shimensoka’ describes a rather unfavorable state, it’s all the more important to find your next move from there.
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.
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.