Four-Character Idioms: A Unique Aspect of Japanese Linguistics
Multiple examples of four-character compounds and four-letter words are presented on one page with examples of four-character compounds displayed by various designs focusing on four-character compounds and four-letter words.
We express four-character idioms in various designs, such as Mincho, Gyosho, Gothic, and Sosho styles. These can serve as general examples for lettering in Japanese, posters (handmade signs), and calligraphy assignments like the New Year's calligraphy tradition.
 Comparison Samples of Four-Character Idiom Designs. |
|||
| |
|||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 Mincho Font |
Textbook Font |
Gyousho Font |
Gothic |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Maru Gothic |
Anxiety |
Brush Pen |
Sosho Font |
We have put together a one-page sample of such a design for one four-character phrase.
Kanji characters may be missing if they are old or special characters (Unicode).
Kanji for Everyday Use: Practical Applications in Daily Life
| Character Illustration | four-character idiomatic compounds |
 481 衣錦之栄 482 衣錦夜行 483 郁郁青青 484 幾千幾万 485 異口同辞 486 異口同声 487 夷険一節 488 韋弦之佩 489 懿公喜鶴 490 衣香襟影 491 懿公之鶴 492 異国情調 493 雲泥之差 494 雲泥万天 495 雲泥万里 496 雲屯霧集 497 雲翻雨覆 498 雲遊萍寄 499 一読三嘆 500 一望際涯 |
|
 501 一望千頃 502 一望千里 503 一葉知秋 504 一陽来復 505 一落千丈 506 一利一害 507 一離一合 508 一里撓椎 509 一粒百行 510 一粒万倍 511 一竜一蛇 512 一竜一猪 513 一了百当 514 一了百了 515 一力当先 516 一旅中興 517 一労永逸 518 一労久逸 519 雲龍井蛙 520 盈盈一水 |
|
| Character Illustration | four-character idiomatic compounds |
 521 永永無窮 522 永遠偉大 523 異端邪説 524 一意繫心 525 一意攻苦 526 一意孤行 527 一衣帯水 528 一飲一啄 529 一韻到底 530 一栄一辱 531 一栄一落 532 一栄一枯 533 一詠一觴 534 一往一来 535 一往情深 536 一往深情 537 一往直前 538 一往邁進 539 一往無前 540 一雁高空 |
|
 541 一牛吼地 542 永遠回帰 543 永遠不滅 544 永遠無窮 545 円滑洒脱 546 煙霞痼疾 547 淵明把菊 548 鳶目兔耳 549 往古来今 550 王佐之才 551 王佐之材 552 王佐之符 553 王思怒蠅 554 遺恨十年 555 意在言外 556 為山止簀 557 移山造海 558 頤指気使 559 意識朦朧 560 意志堅固 |
|
Significance of Font Design
They play an important role in the communication and visual presentation of information. First, fonts can greatly affect the impression of a message depending on the shape and style of the letters. For example, serif fonts give a traditional, formal impression, while sans-serif fonts create a modern, clean look.
They also contribute to readability and legibility and are designed to aid visual attraction and understanding, especially in advertising and publications. In addition, fonts can serve as part of a brand identity, a means of expressing the personality of a company or product.
About precautions How to write and read four-character phrases |
This homepage introduces how to write various four-character phrases.
Some kanji characters may be garbled because they are not supported in the font-based character design. We have also taken care to ensure that there are no mistakes in the kanji and reading notations, but there may be kanji mistakes or conversion errors.
The introduction of typefaces is only shown as an example as a sample of typeface design. Even similar fonts may differ in minor details. It is not intended to indicate superiority or inferiority of any typeface.
The font and cursive typefaces shown on this page are not necessarily correct, as they often reflect the individuality of the person actually writing them.
When accuracy is required for school assignments, exams, work, etc., please confirm the correctness of the kanji, readings, and meanings of 4-kanji compounds with a Japanese dictionary, idiomatic expression dictionary, or other reliable source. Text and images on this site may not be reproduced or redistributed.