[For Elementary Students] A Collection of Beautiful Four-Character Idioms to Know
When an elementary school child starts learning four-character idioms (yojijukugo) in their Japanese class, there may be a moment when they think, “I want to learn more beautiful words!” Four-character idioms include many expressions that have uniquely Japanese beauty and profound meanings.
Here, we’ve collected beautiful yojijukugo that are easy for elementary students to remember and can be used in essays and more.
The more you learn their meanings, the more you’ll be drawn to the charm of words, which also helps build vocabulary.
Have fun exploring together as a parent and child, and find your favorite yojijukugo!
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[For Elementary School Students] A Collection of Beautiful Four-Character Idioms You Should Know (1–10)
A land of picturesque mountains and clear watersNEW!
It’s read as “sanshi suimei.” The on-yomi (Sino-Japanese reading) of the character for purple includes “shi,” which makes it a bit tough for elementary schoolers.
It means the mountains are purple and the waters are clear, describing scenery of exceptional beauty.
It’s a bit curious that mountains can look purple when the sun shines on them.
This expression was coined by the Edo-period Confucian scholar Rai Sanyō.
It’s said he was deeply moved by the view he could see from his home in Kyoto and created the term.
Use it in sentences like, “On our school trip, we encountered many scenes of sanshi suimei.”
matchmaker (literally: “go-between under the moon,” meaning a person who brings two people together, especially for marriage)NEW!
A person who acts as a go-between for a man and a woman is described as a “gekkahyoujin” (matchmaker).
This term combines “Gekka Rōjin” (the Old Man under the Moon) and “Hyōjin” (the Ice Person).
Both come from classical anecdotes.
“Gekka Rōjin” refers to a Tang-dynasty tale in which a man named Wei Gu hears from a mysterious old man about a red cord—what we now know as the red thread of fate.
“Hyōjin” comes from a story in which Linghu Ce of the Jin dynasty had a dream interpreted about speaking with someone beneath the ice, which was taken to mean he would serve as an intermediary for marriage.
Flower in the mirror, moon on the waterNEW!
This is a four-character idiom that means “beautiful things that you can see but cannot grasp.” For example, a flower reflected in glass, clouds in the sky mirrored in a puddle, or the moon reflected on a bathroom window at night are all very beautiful, yet you can’t touch them.
Likewise, the dazzling lights at an amusement park, or the feeling when you can’t yet buy a toy you really want, can be described as kyōka suigetsu—“things that are fun to look at but can’t be obtained.” It’s a phrase you can use to describe everyday moments that feel dreamy and a little mysterious.
[For Elementary School Students] A Collection of Beautiful Four-Character Idioms You Should Know (11–20)
cherry, plum, peach, and apricot (each flower/thing has its own unique beauty)NEW!
@hiroaki946 Oubaitōri Shorts Short video Mini video Set phrase Four-character idioms Proverbs Japanese Meaning of words Wordplay Learning Education Trivia Japanese culture Time-killer Study Knowledge Trivia Everyday life Power of words VOICEVOX: Shikoku Metan A four-character idiom that recognizes differences: “Oubaitōri” Do you know what it means? First, an example sentence: With the arrival of spring, the cherry, plum, peach, and apricot (sour plum) blossoms in the garden were in full bloom, coloring the yard. As the children looked at each flower, they said things like, “I like the pale pink of the cherry blossoms,” “The fragrance of the plum is the best,” “Peach petals are so cute,” and “The white blossoms of the apricot are lovely too.” By noticing the charm each flower possesses and learning the spirit of oubaitōri, the children began to feel that they should also cherish their own individuality. Meaning: Oubaitōri (桜梅桃李) comes from the idea that cherry, plum, peach, and apricot blossoms each have their own unique beauty. It teaches the importance of each person having their own individuality and talents, and expressing their own beauty without comparing themselves to others. It also implies that when people recognize and make use of their strengths and characteristics without comparison, overall harmony can be achieved. That is all.
Original song – hiroaki946 – hiroaki946
This four-character idiom means that just as cherry blossoms, plum blossoms, peach blossoms, and apricot blossoms each bloom with their own unique beauty, it’s okay for every person to be different, too.
It’s easy for elementary school students to understand and carries a message close to “Everyone is different, and that’s okay,” so it’s a good phrase to use in class activities or moral education.
It encourages children to value their own strengths and personalities as they are and to feel positive about themselves.
Beyond memorizing it as study, it can also be a starting point for recognizing differences among friends.
The sound of the phrase is beautiful, and it’s an idiom that lets students enjoy learning while imagining seasonal flowers.
A hundred flowers in full bloomNEW!
@hiroaki946 Hyakka Ryouran Shorts Short videos Mini videos Set phrases Four-character idioms Proverbs Japanese The meaning of words Wordplay Learning Education Trivia Japanese culture Pastime Studying Knowledge Trivia Everyday life The power of words VOICEVOX: Shikoku Metan Riotously blooming four-character idiom “Hyakka Ryouran” Do you know what it means? First, an example sentence: With the arrival of spring, the city park was filled with flowers of every color, as if in a state of “hyakka ryouran.” People who saw this beautiful scene were moved by the beauty and vitality of nature and stopped to gaze for a while. In particular, children ran around, their smiles brimming as if they were playing in this paradise of colors. Meaning: “Hyakka Ryouran” literally refers to the scene of countless flowers blooming all at once in riotous profusion, and by extension, it describes a situation where many outstanding people or talents emerge simultaneously. For example, when talents in various fields compete and produce remarkable achievements one after another, it is praised as “hyakka ryouran.” That is all.
Original song – hiroaki946 – hiroaki946
Hyakka ryōran is an expression that describes a profusion of colorful flowers blooming all at once.
It’s used not only for actual flowers, but also to depict many talented or distinctive people flourishing one after another.
When you picture a scene filled with blossoms, it feels dazzling and exciting, doesn’t it? From this phrase, we can say that it’s wonderful when everyone shines by bringing out their own strengths.
People’s talents differ, but when those differences come together, they create great power and a joyful atmosphere.
It can also be a chance to notice the good qualities of your classmates.
To each their own.NEW!
It’s a phrase that means “if there are ten people, there are ten different ways of thinking and ten different personalities.” Even if you spend time in the same class, the things you like, what you’re good at, and how you think all differ little by little.
That’s exactly what “jūnin toiro” (ten people, ten colors) expresses.
This saying teaches us that “it’s natural for everyone to be different.” Sometimes we feel down when we compare ourselves with others, but from another perspective, those differences are precious individuality.
If we cherish our own color while respecting others’ colors, the world will become a more comfortable place.
When a friend’s way of thinking differs from yours, try to remember “jūnin toiro.”
innocent and pureNEW!
It’s a word that describes being natural and free-spirited, just as your heart dictates.
If you picture a small child laughing innocently or being completely absorbed in something they love, that is exactly “tenshinranman.” The word also carries the nuance that being sincere and straightforward is very appealing.
As we grow older, we become more conscious of others’ eyes and more likely to hide our true feelings.
Remembering this four-character idiom at such times reminds us of the importance of living while cherishing our own hearts.
It is a beautiful and positive idiom that expresses the radiance of a sincere and pure heart.