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 you can use generally (21–30)
a match for a thousand
Ikki refers to a single mounted warrior, and tōsen literally means “equivalent to a thousand people.” Combined, the four-character idiom ikkitosen describes a person so strong—or so exceptionally skilled and experienced—that they could fight a thousand enemies alone.
While it was originally used mainly in the context of martial arts and combat prowess, today it refers to someone with outstanding ability in a particular field.
It appears the phrase was once read as ikkitozen, but in modern usage ikkitosen has become standard.
telepathy; tacit understanding (literally: ‘heart-to-heart communication’)
Communicating solely through the heart is called “ishin-denshin.” Normally, when we convey something to someone, we use spoken or written words.
But there are times when it’s hard to express things in words.
In such moments, it’s nice to have someone who can pick up on how you feel.
With a close friend, you may sometimes understand each other without putting your feelings into words.
Someone you can share ishin-denshin with is likely a person who always pays close attention to you and understands you deeply.
Flower in a mirror, moon on the water
Kyōka suigetsu—like flowers reflected in a mirror or the moon mirrored on water—certainly exists, yet can never be touched.
It expresses the fleeting, beautiful illusion and the inexpressible elegance of art.
This four-character idiom also carries the meaning of an eternal longing, symbolizing ideals, dreams, and delicate first love, as ephemeral as a mirage.
It’s a phrase that’s easy to use in everyday conversation, as in: “When I was a child, I tried running toward the foot of a rainbow, but like kyōka suigetsu, I could never reach it,” or “The intricate glasswork is so delicate and beautiful, like kyōka suigetsu.”
purple trunk, green leaves
The four-character idiom “shikan suiō” (紫幹翠葉), which conjures up purple trunks and emerald-green leaves, describes trees thriving in nature whose trunks gleam with a purplish hue in the sunlight and whose sunlit leaves appear vividly green and beautiful.
Even if “purple” trunks and “emerald” leaves don’t immediately resonate, these two colors symbolize nobility and freshness.
Shikan suiō expresses the untouched beauty of nature and conveys gratitude for its blessings, and it is often used in fields such as art.
refreshing breeze and bright moon
Seifū Meigetsu, which evokes a pure breeze and a clear, shining moon, expresses an appreciation for the beauty and tranquility of nature and signifies having a pure, unclouded heart.
It also conveys an attitude of savoring inner peace and the elegance of the natural world.
Stylish in meaning and lovely in sound, this four-character idiom is one you’ll want to drop into conversation—for example: “Tonight, let’s enjoy the seifū meigetsu out in nature and reminisce about old times.” Hearing this phrase will surely leave the listener with an intellectual and charming impression.
Snow, Moon, Wind, and Flowers
Setsugekka refers to the beauty of seasonal natural scenery and the act of appreciating nature.
Japan has four distinct seasons—spring, summer, autumn, and winter.
The term describes a way of life that delights in the beautiful scenes of each season, enjoying the arts through composing poems, creating paintings, and more.
Although the character for “snow” is included and may evoke winter landscapes, the phrase encompasses spring blossoms, summer storms, autumn moons, and winter snows—both the vistas of each season and the enjoyment of them.
It’s a four-character idiom that perfectly suits the Japanese sensibility of savoring the seasons.
Dripping water wears through stone
@az0202za Dripping water wears through stone. #Tenteki Senseki #Four-character idiom #Learning
♬ Original Song – 0202civo – az0202za
Perfect as a personal motto, “ten-teki-sen-seki” (literally, “dripping water pierces stone”) expresses the idea that even tiny drops of water, if they fall continuously on one spot, can bore a hole through hard rock.
In the same way, small efforts, steadily accumulated, can lead to great achievements and results.
Continuing to strive until you reach your goals is difficult, but with the mindset that daily, modest efforts will one day bear fruit and blossom, we can keep at it.
This four-character idiom teaches the importance of perseverance.