To children who strive with a spirit of never giving up, we want to convey important messages through four-character idioms.
Many teachers and parents may feel the same way.
In this article, we introduce four-character idioms that are easy for elementary school students to understand and perfect for fostering motivation and a positive mindset.
These expressions can be used in a variety of situations—daily life, study, club activities, and more—so please find the words that will resonate with elementary school children according to their environment!
Four-character idioms that support elementary schoolers’ hearts and never give up! Words that spark the power to try 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.
A simple 1-minute anime that even elementary school students can understand explains the meaning of the four-character idiom “Isshin Furan” (wholeheartedly, with undivided attention) ★ How to remember four-character idioms ★ How to use four-character idioms
This four-character idiom is read as “isshin furan,” and it describes the state of focusing intently on a single task.
It is used when one charges ahead toward a purpose or goal, rather than turning one’s attention to various things.
For example, during a sports match, an exam, or while absorbed in a favorite game, you might find yourself unconsciously becoming isshin furan.
However, concentrating too much on just one thing can lead to accidents or injuries, so it’s best to be careful.
Four-character idiom: Indomitable and Unyielding | Overcoming difficulties with a strong will
It looks like a difficult kanji compound, but it’s read as “futō fukutsu.” It means to persevere without slackening and without being discouraged.
When you devote yourself earnestly to your goals day by day, there will be moments when you feel like your spirit might break.
But this four-character idiom reminds us that even then, it’s important to keep challenging ourselves, even if we’re not perfect.
If you continue without bending the resolve or conviction behind your “I’ll do my best” and “I’ll see it through,” you’ll surely meet a version of yourself who has grown one step further.
It’s read as “banri ikkū.” “Banri” means “vastly far,” and “ikkū” means “one sky.” Originally, it carried the idea that no matter how far you go, the sky is connected everywhere.
Nowadays, it’s used to mean persevering and continuing to make efforts toward a goal without giving up.
Even if your objective feels distant, thinking that you can reach it bit by bit through steady effort can encourage you to “keep trying a little longer.” Please remember this phrase whenever you set a new goal.
Pronounced “meimei no kokorozashi,” this four-character idiom combines two words: “冥冥” (meimei) and “志” (kokorozashi).
“冥冥” refers to a darkness without light or to something deep and hidden from people’s eyes, while “志” refers to a resolve one sets in one’s heart.
In other words, this idiom likely means “to make a determination deep in one’s heart without others knowing” or “to strive without announcing it to others.” The image of steadily working toward one’s self-set goals seems likely to influence many people.
This four-character idiom, read as “gashin-shōtan,” means to endure hardship and persevere over a long period of time in order to achieve a goal.
As you keep working hard, there will be moments of failure or discouragement.
At such times, this idiom may support some children.
Even if they experience setbacks, it would be wonderful if they could use those experiences as a springboard to aim higher and ultimately accomplish their goals.
It is one of the expressions we especially want to pass on, as it helps cultivate the strong willpower and focus needed to keep striving without giving up.
