Four-Character Idioms: Language That Connects Generations
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 Advanced Learners: Deepening Your Calligraphy Skills
| Character Illustration | four-character idiomatic compounds |
1521 見風使舵 1522 気宇雄豪  1523 疑雲猜霧  1524 帰依三宝  1525 既往不咎  1526 祇園精舎  1527 機会均等  1528 奇怪至極  1529 棄灰之刑  1530 機械之心  1531 帰家穏座  1532 躬行実践  1533 九皐鳴鶴  1534 窮巷陋屋  1535 窮巷陋室  1536 窮困潦倒  1537 窮山通谷  1538 丘山之功  1539 泣斬馬謖  1540 窮山幽谷  |
|
1541 九死一生 1542 宮車晏駕  1543 宮車晩駕  1544 窮愁著書  1545 旧習墨守  1546 鳩首協議  1547 鳩首凝議  1548 牛首馬肉  1549 鳩首密議  1550 求漿得酒  1551 九仞一簣  1552 休心息念  1553 九仞之功  1554 救世済民  1555 求全之毀  1556 窮鼠噛猫  1557 窮鼠噛狸  1558 旧態依然  1559 九腸寸断  1560 旧調重弾  |
|
| Character Illustration | four-character idiomatic compounds |
1561 窮鳥入懐 1562 弓調馬服  1563 泣涕如雨  1564 九鼎大呂  1565 急転直下  1566 群策群力  1567 君子自重  1568 君子殉名  1569 君子徳風  1570 君子九思  1571 君子三畏  1572 君子三戒  1573 君子万年  1574 君子豹変  1575 君子不器  1576 葷酒山門  1577 君辱臣死  1578 君臣同志  1579 君側之悪  1580 謹言慎行  |
|
1581 金口玉音 1582 金口玉言  1583 近郷近在  1584 謹厚慎重  1585 金口木舌  1586 金谷園裏  1587 金谷酒数  1588 緊褌一番  1589 禽困覆車  1590 金枝花萼  1591 金枝玉葉  1592 琴瑟相和  1593 琴瑟調和  1594 琴瑟之好  1595 琴瑟之和  1596 琴瑟不調  1597 琴瑟和同  1598 禽獣夷狄  1599 錦繍心肝  1600 禽獣草木  |
|
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.