A four-character idiom quiz that elementary schoolers will love! Questions become fun once you understand the meanings

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.

We’re introducing a four-character idiom quiz that’s fun for everyone—from elementary school students to adults.

Do you really know the true meanings of idioms you use without thinking, like “一喜一憂” (being swayed between joy and sorrow) and “一石二鳥” (killing two birds with one stone)? Even adults might be surprised by some of the questions.

These idioms are useful for schoolwork too, and we present them in a quiz format with explanations that are easy for elementary schoolers to understand.

As you solve the quiz, you’ll experience the richness of Japanese expression.

Try it with family or friends to learn four-character idioms even more enjoyably!

Four-character idiom quiz that elementary school students will love! Questions that become fun once you understand the meanings (11–20)

Which of the following is the meaning of “denkō sekka” (as quick as lightning)?

very bright
very fast
very strong

See the answer

very fast

“Denkō sekka” means extremely fast, like an electric flash or a spark. You can use it like: “He finished his homework at lightning speed.”

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In conclusion

Let’s enjoy the richness and deep meanings of Japanese together with elementary school children through a four-character idiom quiz.

Even kanji that seem difficult can be naturally acquired by learning through games and quizzes.

I hope you will connect this to children’s learning by enjoying the quizzes at home or at school in whatever way works best for you.