Learn the meanings too! Cool four-character idioms that elementary school students will want to remember

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.

“I want to learn some cool four-character idioms!” Many elementary school students probably feel that way—wanting to use them in school essays or speeches, or even make them their future goals.

Four-character idioms are full of words that express strong will and admirable attitudes.

Because they carry deep meanings, the more you learn about them, the more appealing they become.

Even though they’re just four characters long, many of them really resonate in your heart.

In this article, we’ll introduce four-character idioms that are easy for elementary school students to remember and use.

If you try them in conversations with friends or in your writing, you’re sure to develop wonderful expressive skills.

Learn the meanings too! Cool four-character idioms elementary schoolers will want to memorize (91–100)

giving it your all

This is a four-character idiom that means to give it everything you’ve got.

It originally comes from baseball, referring to a pitcher throwing the ball with all their strength.

Nowadays, it’s used to express the attitude of tackling anything with full effort.

For example: “I gave it my all in the relay at the sports day right to the very end,” or “I put my all into my summer vacation independent project, so I’m confident!” No matter how small the task, putting your heart into giving it your all can become a great source of strength for you.

It’s okay to fail.

The experience of trying your best will surely make you stronger!

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To each their own.

A four-character proverb meaning “ten people, ten colors = everyone has different ways of thinking and preferences.” For example, some people like curry, while others like ramen.

In the same way, it’s natural that each person values different things and likes different things.

This phrase is perfect for when you want to be considerate of those around you.

If you find yourself wondering, “Why does so-and-so think that way?”, try remembering, “Jūnin toiro—everyone’s different.” Everyone’s different, and that’s what makes everyone good.

That’s the wonderful part of this proverb.

If both adults and children can enjoy these “differences,” every day will become more colorful.

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innocent and pure

This is a four-character idiom that describes an unadorned, innate natural disposition, expressing innocence and straightforwardness.

“Tenshin” means the unaltered form given by heaven, and “ranman” depicts a radiant state like flowers blooming in profusion, thereby conveying pure light.

It has a nuance close to “childlike innocence,” and using this term can also underscore how valuable purity is.

It’s a phrase that can convey a truthful, straightforward personality and a pure heart.

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A fresh start

It means to refresh your mindset and make a positive new start.

For example, when you don’t get a good score on a test or you end up arguing with a friend, deciding to “try again!” and taking action with a renewed attitude is shinki-itten.

You can also use it like this: “I was lazy over summer vacation, but in the second term I’ll make a fresh start—go to bed early, get up early, and work hard on my studies.” Even when you face hardships or failures, thinking “shinki-itten” helps you move forward with energy again.

It’s an important phrase even when you become an adult, so be sure to remember it!

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a woman of both talent and beauty

It means someone who is smart and also beautiful.

In other words, it refers to an amazing person who has both intelligence and good looks.

For example, if there’s someone at school who can present clearly and also has a charming smile, you could say that person is “saishoku kenbi.” It’s a cool, stylish expression that both kids and adults can use, so it’s worth remembering.

Aim to be “saishoku kenbi” yourself—study hard and have fun with fashion too!

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