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?
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Intellectual beauty shines! Stylish four-character idioms you can use generally (21–30)
A swift wind reveals sturdy grass.
Shippū Keisō (“gale and sturdy grass”) evokes grass that stands straight even when battered by strong winds.
From the idea that only when fierce winds blow can we tell which grasses will not break, this four-character idiom expresses that a person’s true strength and worth are revealed precisely in times of adversity or misfortune.
It can be used in sentences like, “It was a painful and difficult experience, but I’m glad I could learn, through shippū keisō, who my truly trustworthy friends are.” With its beautiful sound and thoughtful meaning, why not try using shippū keisō in conversation?
Scattered blossoms, fallen leaves
The flowers that bloom in full glory in spring will eventually be scattered by the wind, and their leaves will wither and fall from the branches.
Life is like those flowers—ever fleeting and constantly changing.
The four-character idiom “hika rakuyō” (flying blossoms, falling leaves) expresses this impermanence of the world.
Everything we take for granted is transient; nothing lasts forever.
Because things are always changing, it seems to teach us to cherish each moment as it comes.
In this world of flying blossoms and falling leaves, we don’t know what tomorrow will bring.
All the more reason to treasure each day and live joyfully.
Intellectual beauty shines! Stylish four-character idioms you can use generally (31–40)
fresh and crystal clear
“Sen-bi-tō-ryō” — each character’s look and sound conveys beauty in this four-character idiom, which describes something that is beautifully clear and transparent.
Individually, “鮮美 (senbi)” means vivid and beautiful, and “透涼 (tōryō)” means pure and translucent.
Beyond nature and artworks, it can also describe a person’s disposition or temperament.
For example: “The senbi-tōryō [name]-chan is everyone’s admiration,” often used for a woman with an especially beautiful, crystal-clear character.
land of scenic beauty with mountains and clear waters
@a8y727 A word with beautiful-sounding charactersBeautiful JapanesetranslationstudyTranslation#AI
♬ A mysterious and magnificent song with a divine feel(1010973) – stustu studio
As you can imagine from the four-character kanji, “Sanshi-suimei” depicts a beautiful landscape in which mountains, bathed in sunlight, appear faintly purple, and rivers are limpid and clearly visible.
This idiom, which describes the beauty of nature, is used broadly to praise all kinds of beautiful natural scenery, not just mountains and rivers.
With its elegant ring and stylish nuance, it’s a lovely phrase to use when you’re moved by flowers, rivers, or the sky you encounter while out and about.
For instance, you might say, “What a wonderful view.
The flowers are in full bloom, the river is pure as far as the eye can see, and the clear sky feels like it could draw you in—truly sanshi-suimei.”
Flowers, birds, wind, and moon
@kurukoba translation Flowers, birds, wind, and moonBackground music used: DOVA-SYNDROME Title: Rainy Hanami Written by alaki paca
♬ Original Song – Bird v🔍💙 – Hour of Four Ripe
Kachō-fūgetsu, a word known for symbolizing the Japanese aesthetic sensibility, expresses the appreciation of seasonal beauty and the enjoyment of observing the sights and scenes unique to each time of year.
It is also frequently depicted in works of art such as paintings, poetry, and gardens.
From the springtime beauty of cherry and plum blossoms, to summer birds, the melancholy of autumn, and the serene moon shining in the winter night sky, this four-character idiom is beloved as an expression of the distinctly Japanese sentiment that cherishes the changing seasons and the richness of nature, as well as a term that conveys the beauty of the natural world.
Clear clouds and autumn moon
“Seiun” refers to clouds floating in a clear sky, and “shūgetsu” refers to the moon in the crisp autumn sky.
The four-character idiom “Seiun Shūgetsu” thus metaphorically describes a pure, unblemished, serenely beautiful heart.
Although it may seem at first glance to be an expression comparing beautiful scenery, it is actually used to describe someone with a clean and innocent character.
For example, it’s easy to use in conversation: “A child’s eyes as they speak of their dreams sparkle, as if reflecting a heart of Seiun Shūgetsu.”
Cherry Blossoms in Full Splendor
When it comes to Japanese flowers, many people might think of cherry blossoms and picture rows of sakura trees blooming profusely along the riverside.
“Ranman” describes a scene where flowers are in full, luxuriant bloom, or something brilliantly radiant.
The four-character idiom “ōkaranman” (桜花爛漫) describes cherry blossoms in magnificent full bloom and conveys an atmosphere that is dazzlingly bright and splendid.
This idiom, which depicts Japan’s beautiful spring scenery, conjures up the lovely view with words alone.
With just four characters evoking such a beautiful scene, “ōkaranman” is also popular as a stylish four-character idiom.