Intellectual beauty that shines! Stylish four-character idioms you can use in everyday situations
Yojijukugo are a linguistic art form that distills the beauty and depth of the Japanese language.
They’re popular as stylish calligraphy pieces and interior decor, and using them casually in everyday conversation can create an intellectual impression.
However, if you don’t know their correct meanings or usage, you might end up embarrassed.
So this time, we’ll introduce a world of chic yojijukugo that you can easily incorporate.
Why not enjoy discovering lovely expressions that add richer color to your daily life?
- Enrich your heart with beautiful four-character idioms! A collection of expressions you'll want to use in everyday life.
- Become positive with four-character idioms that resonate with the heart! Common yet deeply meaningful words.
- [Four-Character Idioms] Impressive and Cool Sound! A Collection of Famous Quotes Worth Knowing as General Knowledge
- Amusing four-character idioms you’ll want to use right away! A collection of expressions to remember as general knowledge.
- Popular even among elementary school students! Stylish and easy-to-remember four-character idioms
- [For Elementary Students] A Collection of Beautiful Four-Character Idioms to Know
- Learn the meanings too! Cool four-character idioms that elementary school students will want to remember
- Interesting four-character idioms for elementary schoolers! Words you'll want to use once you understand their meanings
- General: Four-character idioms that encourage determination—powerful, heart-stirring words
- Four-character idioms that help you achieve goals! Phrases you can use in everyday situations
- Surprisingly tricky! Check your general knowledge with a four-character idiom quiz
- [Kakizome] Four-character idioms fit for the New Year: Introducing words that resonate with the heart and their meanings
- Easy-to-remember, positive four-character idioms for elementary school kids! Words that brighten the heart
Intellectual beauty shines! Stylish four-character idioms (11–20) that work in everyday use
A heart like clouds, a nature like the moon
@yoji_jukuko translationFour-character idiomTranslationCloud-like heart, moon-like nature
♬ Escort – MoppySound
Here is a four-character idiom that expresses things like the selfless heart of the clouds and the purity of the moon.
By keeping this phrase in mind and casting off a heart tainted by self-interest, it feels like one could attain a higher spiritual state.
And simply picturing the clouds drifting across a clear moonlit night may make you feel as though your heart is being cleansed.
It also carries the meaning of being a solitary, lofty presence.
If you return to the essence of humanity and gaze at the moon, you may discover something new.
profound and vastNEW!
It’s a highly refined four-character idiom that simultaneously conveys the depth and breadth of thought, scholarship, and the spiritual realm.
Rather than superficial knowledge, it communicates deeply probed reflection and an embracing expansiveness that knows no bounds.
It’s also an apt expression for evaluating a person’s way of thinking or philosophy, as well as a long-cultivated attitude toward inquiry, and it lends intellectual gravity when used in writing.
It suits situations where you want to express grandeur in terms of quality rather than quantity, and I felt it is a word that, though quiet, leaves a strong impression.
a sweeping view as far as the eye can seeNEW!
It’s a refreshing four-character idiom that seems to put the very widening of one’s field of view into words.
It means “to see as far as a thousand li at a single glance.” It is used to describe grand vistas unobstructed by anything—like views from a high place or mountaintop, vast plains, or the open sea.
Beyond simple description of a scene, it can also serve as a metaphor for foresight or breadth of vision.
The neat form of the characters combined with the large-scale imagery creates a sense of openness when woven into writing.
It’s an effective expression when you want to convey grandeur or clear outlook.
flawless and naturalNEW!
The word “ten’imuhō” refers to something that is natural, yet complete and beautiful.
It’s pronounced ten-i-mu-hō.
The term originates from a story in the Chinese short story collection Lingguai Lu.
In the tale, a beautiful weaving maiden descends from the heavens, and the robe she wears has no seams at all—natural and beautiful.
Ten’imuhō also carries the meaning of being pure and unaffected, like grand, awe-inspiring nature that captivates us simply by existing, and it can be used to describe someone with an unadorned, natural personality.
pure breeze and bright moon
It depicts a serene, composed scene in nature—clear wind and a bright moon.
Free of anything superfluous, it conveys a purity that seems to lighten the heart.
Thinking of the refreshing breeze on a summer night or a round moon floating in the sky brings peace of mind.
You could say this phrase also carries the message: “Keep your heart calm and face things with honesty.” Even on irritating days, recalling these words can help your feelings settle.
It reminds us not to forget to take time to clear our minds amid our busy daily lives.
It is a four-character idiom that teaches the importance of that mindfulness.
Gentle face, loving words
It’s a term that means “a gentle smile” and “kind, considerate words.” It’s an expression that teaches the importance of facing others with a warm smile and speaking to them with heartfelt words.
For example, asking a friend who’s in trouble, “Are you okay?” or quietly offering words of encouragement to someone who’s feeling down after a failure are perfect examples of ‘wagō aigo.’ One of the appealing aspects of this concept is that you don’t need to do anything grand; it can be practiced in small, everyday moments.
Even simply greeting someone with a smile can lighten their mood a little and warm their heart.
You could say that the accumulation of such small acts of kindness softens the atmosphere around us.
Intellectual beauty shines! Stylish four-character idioms you can use generally (21–30)
Add flowers to brocade (to embellish something already beautiful; to make a good situation even better)
This expression is a four-character idiom that originally comes from the image of adding flowers on top of a beautiful brocade.
It describes something already wonderful being enhanced by something even more delightful.
For example, when you work hard and achieve good results, receiving warm words from others makes your joy even greater.
That is exactly what “kinjō tenka” (adding flowers to brocade) conveys.
If we can notice someone’s strengths or achievements and add words that make them even happier, our days might become gentler and more colorful.
It’s a four-character idiom with a beautiful ring that reminds us of that feeling.