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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Get inspired by heartfelt four-character idioms! Common yet deeply meaningful words (21–30)
a carefree and comfortable life
Those of us living in the modern era are, often without realizing it, chased by the clock and buried in tasks, and before we know it the day is over—that’s the kind of busy life many of us lead.
Some may find that enjoyable, but surely there are also those who feel they want rest and more free time.
As a four-character idiom to set as a New Year’s resolution, I recommend yūyū-jiteki.
This phrase means living free of mental and physical stress, spending your time just as you wish.
How about writing this phrase in your first calligraphy of the year as a way to put a brake on your tendency to overwork?
Carelessness is your worst enemy.
You could see success right in front of you, let your guard down, and ended up failing… lost the match… Some of you may have experienced something like that.
It’s understandable—staying tense for too long wears people out—but for the person involved, it becomes a bitter memory and a deeply frustrating experience.
At times like that, make the four-character idiom “yudan taiteki” (Letting your guard down is your worst enemy) your New Year’s resolution.
If you keep this phrase in mind, it will come back to you in those moments when your focus slips and help you tighten your resolve.
Get motivated with four-character idioms that resonate with the heart! Common yet deeply meaningful phrases (31–40)
consistency
This four-character idiom is perfect for those who want to live guided by their own compass and pursue goals they set for themselves.
“Shubi-ikkan” (consistency from start to finish) means that one’s direction and thinking remain unchanged from beginning to end, with a coherent throughline.
As you work toward your goals, you’ll likely encounter troubles and obstacles, but why not make it your resolution this year to maintain unwavering determination to achieve the goals you’ve chosen? It’s a mindset that applies both to work and to your personal life.
the finishing touch
When you complete something, I’d like you to remember the phrase “gairyō tensei.” It means the crucial final touch and is considered one of the idioms from a Chinese anecdote.
You often hear it in the form “lacking gairyō tensei,” meaning that a key element is missing or the finishing touches are sloppy.
Even when we think something is perfect, we sometimes realize it’s incomplete after someone else points it out—an experience everyone has had.
To reduce such failures and to gain a broader perspective through reviewing your work, why not adopt this phrase as a New Year’s resolution?
strenuous effort; hard-fought struggle5
It’s a four-character idiom that expresses fighting with every ounce of strength and mustering the courage to face difficulties.
“Rikisen” conveys the state of battling with full force, while “funtō” conveys the act of rousing one’s spirit to confront challenges.
By combining these two stances of confrontation, the expression emphasizes a sense of power.
Another key point is that it contains two characters related to combat, clearly conveying the fact of standing up to a challenge.
Depending on how you pair it with your goal, you can strongly convey your own mindset.
Scattered blossoms, fallen leaves
The flowers that bloom in full glory in spring will eventually be scattered by the wind, and their leaves will wither and fall from the branches.
Life is like those flowers—ever fleeting and constantly changing.
The four-character idiom “hika rakuyō” (flying blossoms, falling leaves) expresses this impermanence of the world.
Everything we take for granted is transient; nothing lasts forever.
Because things are always changing, it seems to teach us to cherish each moment as it comes.
In this world of flying blossoms and falling leaves, we don’t know what tomorrow will bring.
All the more reason to treasure each day and live joyfully.
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?