Many elementary school students may be thinking, “I’m trying so hard, but I’m not seeing results…” Surely the adults around them, watching over their efforts, also want to offer the right words.
In these seven articles, we introduce four-character idioms that express children’s desire to “try hard” and their spirit of “persevering.” They’re easy for elementary schoolers to understand and useful in everyday life, so learn their origins too and let them motivate you in your studies and club activities!
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Easy for elementary school kids to remember! Four-character idioms that express the spirit of trying hard (1–10)
complete combustionNEW!
“Complete combustion” is one of the expressions often used in sports.
It means giving everything you’ve got until the very end.
If you hold back and end up losing, you’ll be left with regrets.
To secure victory and to avoid regrets, it’s necessary to go all out.
If you pour out all your strength, do everything you possibly can, and still lose, you can accept the defeat—and it will be easier to reset your mindset and move on to the next step to get even stronger.
single-minded devotion
This four-character idiom, read as “ichiisen-shin,” is composed of the words “ichi-i” (single-minded intention) and “senshin” (wholehearted devotion).
“Ichi-i” means to focus on a single goal, while “senshin” refers to committing oneself wholeheartedly to one thing.
Since both carry similar meanings, the idiom conveys the image of someone who has resolved to concentrate on one thing and is diligently striving toward it.
Try using it when you’ve found something you truly want to do, or when you want to express that you recognize and support someone’s determination to do their best.
Indomitable; unyielding (literally: ‘unbent by a hundred setbacks’)
A four-character idiom that gives you strength in life.
It’s read as “hyakusetsu-futō.” It means that no matter how many times you fail, you don’t bend your goals or convictions.
You can picture the attitude of continuing to strive without yielding, even when you’ve failed a hundred times and feel like your spirit might break.
Many guardians probably hope that even children who get bored easily or who often give up will persist in the goals they decided to work hard toward.
How about sharing this as a motto at such times? The words themselves seem to give you power.
enterprising and proactive
A four-character idiom that overlaps with the image of a child heading straight toward a goal.
It’s read “shinshu-kakan.” “進取 (shinshu)” refers to proactively tackling things on one’s own initiative, and “果敢 (kakan)” means being decisive and acting boldly.
Combined, the idiom expresses an attitude of actively taking on new challenges and moving into action without hesitation.
Seeing a child’s earnest effort can fire up their guardians as well.
Even then, it’s best to watch over them while keeping a calm, unhurried mindset.
a match for a thousand
A four-character idiom that denotes great strength.
It’s read as “ikkitōsen,” and it seems to mean being so strong that a single mounted warrior could stand against a thousand enemies.
Some children are worriers or tend to feel anxious when facing something new.
At such times, it’s nice to convey a warm message that their family is watching over them.
Moreover, encouraging them by saying they are strong enough to face a thousand enemies can help rouse their spirits.
It’s one of the four-character idioms that can broaden a child’s potential.
indomitable; unyielding
It’s pronounced “futō-fukutsu.” It means to persevere without loosening your resolve or giving up.
Even children who work earnestly toward their goals every day must have moments when they feel like their spirits are about to break.
Yet this four-character idiom reminds us that, even then, it’s important to keep challenging ourselves little by little, even if not perfectly.
By trusting the hearts of children who have decided, “I’m going to do my best” and “I will see it through,” and by letting them keep striving, we can surely expect to see them grow by more than just one step.
Single-minded focus spanning a vast distance
@hiroaki946 Banri Ikkuu Shorts short video mini video idiom four-character idioms proverbs Japanese meaning of words wordplay learning education trivia Japanese culture pastime study knowledge trivia everyday life the power of words VOICEVOX: Shikoku Metan Satisfying four-character idiom to hear: “Banri Ikkuu.” Example sentence: After starting his company, Mr. Yamada faced many difficulties over several years, but each time he handled them calmly and always kept a broad perspective, looking ahead to the company’s future. One day, he gathered all the employees and said, “The goal we should aim for is not merely to solve the problems in front of us, but to achieve growth with a view to a more distant future.” Inspired by this “Banri Ikkuu” spirit, the employees united as one and pledged to work hard for the company’s future. Meaning: “Banri Ikkuu” literally describes a vast landscape stretching out under a single, continuous sky. This four-character idiom symbolizes having clear foresight and a broad perspective. It is especially used to refer to people or situations that can see far ahead into the future. That is all.
Original song – hiroaki946 – hiroaki946
Pronounced “banri ikkuu.” “Banri” means extremely far, and “ikkū” means the sky is one.
Originally, it conveyed the idea that no matter how far you go, the sky is connected as one.
Nowadays, it’s used to mean persevering and working hard toward a goal without giving up.
Even if a goal feels distant, thinking that steady effort will lead to achieving it can encourage children to say, “I’ll try a little harder.”