For Elementary School Students: Four-Character Idioms You Can Use for New Year’s Resolutions — How to Set Cool Goals!
When welcoming the New Year, why not express your goals with four-character idioms? In this article, we’ve gathered yojijukugo that are easy for elementary school students to use as New Year’s resolutions.
From isshoukenmei (giving your all) to shoshi-kantetsu (sticking to your original intention), these are words that are easy for kids to remember and have cool meanings.
They’re perfect for kakizome calligraphy or class presentations! Each idiom’s meaning is explained in a simple way, so while talking with your child about “What kind of year do you want this to be?”, try choosing a favorite phrase together.
- [Elementary School Students] Perfect for Kakizome! A Collection of Four-Character Idiom Ideas
- Learn the meanings too! Cool four-character idioms that elementary school students will want to remember
- Easy for elementary school students to remember! A four-character idiom that expresses the feeling of trying your best
- Strive toward your goals! Four-character idiom ideas that resonate with elementary school students
- [For Elementary School Students] Four-character idioms you can use in sports! Words that are helpful for cheering and goal setting
- Recommended for elementary school class goals! A collection of impactful ideas using four-character idioms
- Perfect for elementary school slogans! A collection of four-character idiom ideas you'll want to use
- Easy-to-remember, positive four-character idioms for elementary school kids! Words that brighten the heart
- Interesting four-character idioms for elementary schoolers! Words you'll want to use once you understand their meanings
- Four-character idioms that help elementary schoolers not give up: words that spark the power to keep trying
- Four-character idioms for New Year’s resolutions! A collection of motivational phrase ideas
- [Kakizome] Four-character idioms fit for the New Year: Introducing words that resonate with the heart and their meanings
- Popular even among elementary school students! Stylish and easy-to-remember four-character idioms
[For Elementary Schoolers] Four-character idioms you can use for New Year’s resolutions: How to set cool goals! (1–10)
One day, one lifetime
Ichinichi isshō (One day, one lifetime) means treating each day with such care and intention that it becomes as meaningful as a whole life.
It encourages valuing your daily school life, playtime, studying, and lessons.
By keeping this in mind when you wake up in the morning or take on something new, you cultivate the drive to work positively toward your goals.
Including it in your New Year’s resolutions helps you adopt a mindset that makes each day fulfilling rather than wasted—an actionable and cool four-character idiom.
A fresh start
“Shinki itten” is a four-character idiom that means resetting your mindset or circumstances and taking positive action.
Keeping it in mind at the start of a new year helps you clear your head and build the resolve to take on challenges.
For example, even if your studies or sports haven’t gone well, remembering this phrase can help you switch gears and try again.
It can also prompt you to reconsider your relationships with friends and family, enriching your daily life.
Adopted as a New Year’s resolution, it’s a phrase that encourages steady growth while maintaining a positive outlook.
sincerity
Seishin-seii is a four-character idiom that means acting sincerely and wholeheartedly.
If you include it in your New Year’s resolutions, you can be more mindful and considerate in how you interact with friends, family, and teachers.
By greeting people properly, keeping promises, and helping those in need, the spirit of “seishin-seii” shows up in your daily actions.
When you put your heart into efforts like studying and lessons, it becomes easier to feel your own growth.
Valuing small actions each day builds trust with those around you and leads to a pleasant, fulfilling life.
[For Elementary School Students] Four-character idioms you can use for New Year’s resolutions: How to set cool goals! (11–20)
A sudden resolve; making a firm decision (to start afresh).
Ichinen-hokki is a four-character idiom meaning to tackle something with firm resolve.
Making it a New Year’s resolution can be the push you need to boldly take on things you haven’t managed before or challenges you want to try.
For example, by keeping this phrase in mind for goals like studying a difficult subject or practicing a new skill, you’ll be more likely to persevere without giving up.
Facing what you’ve decided with renewed determination and full commitment leads to confidence and a sense of achievement.
It’s an encouraging phrase that helps turn resolve into action and fosters the drive to approach each day with enthusiasm.
single-minded devotion
“Ichisen-shin” (Ichiisen-shin) is a four-character idiom meaning to concentrate one’s mind on a single task.
It fosters the mindset of focusing on goals you’ve set for yourself—whether in studying, sports, or lessons.
By making plans and putting in steady effort day by day, and by facing what you’re not good at, you can cultivate concentration and perseverance.
The experience of seeing one thing through without being swayed by outside temptations leads to confidence and a sense of accomplishment.
By keeping this saying in mind, you can build the ability to work steadily toward your goals and enjoy a fulfilling year.
ingenuity and creativity
We live in a world where most questions can be answered by searching online.
Still, thinking and acting for yourself is an irreplaceable experience and a valuable asset for anyone.
There are many easy and convenient paths, but if you want to grow in the new year, try embracing ingenuity and creativity.
The time you spend thinking with your own mind and encountering new discoveries and possibilities will surely be enjoyable and fulfilling.
Even if the answer you reach is wrong, don’t worry—consider failure the foundation of success, broaden your perspective, and keep exploring original ideas and flashes of inspiration.
every move; every action
“Ikkyō-ichidō” (literally, “every single move”) is a four-character idiom that means paying attention to one’s actions and taking responsibility for them.
By being mindful even of small behaviors—such as how you speak and act at school or at home, and how you interact with friends—you can deepen trust with those around you.
In studying or sports, focusing carefully on each individual movement also makes it easier to achieve results.
Another appeal is that by being conscious of the small actions you take every day, you can build good habits and feel your own growth.
Keeping this phrase in mind helps cultivate the ability to live a careful and fulfilling life.