Exploring the Connection Between Kanji and Japanese Culture
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. |
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 Mincho Font |
Textbook Font |
Gyousho Font |
Gothic |
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| 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).
Understanding the Cultural Significance of Kanji and Shūji
| Character Illustration | four-character idiomatic compounds |
81 揚眉吐気 82 陵谷之変  83 迷者不問  84 有名無実  85 柳暗花明  86 無芸大食  87 無理算段  88 溶溶漾漾  89 無芸無能  90 六趣輪廻  91 涼風一陣  92 夢兆熊羆  93 優游不迫  94 路花墻柳  95 八咫之鏡  96 明察秋毫  97 漏脯充飢  98 楽禍幸災  99 和顔悦色  100 老少不定  |
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101 麟子鳳雛 102 陵雲之気  103 立錐之土  104 面目全非  105 良玉精金  106 淮南鶏犬  107 和光垂迹  108 羊裘垂釣  109 名誉挽回  110 和衷共済  111 無始曠劫  112 利害得喪  113 面争廷論  114 遊蕩三昧  115 股座膏薬  116 面従腹誹  117 揚清激濁  118 落落晨星  119 無味乾燥  120 無知無能  |
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| Character Illustration | four-character idiomatic compounds |
121 遊刃余地 122 柳絮才高  123 楽髪苦爪  124 盟神探湯  125 迷悟一如  126 未練未酌  127 万劫末代  128 孟母三居  129 陵谷遷貿  130 無声無臭  131 離散集合  132 門巷填隘  133 幽趣佳境  134 名実一体  135 螻蟻之誠  136 孟仲叔季  137 落花狼籍  138 漫語放言  139 無上趣味  140 妄誕無稽  |
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141 養志之孝 142 路柳墻花  143 雷轟電転  144 燎原烈火  145 孟母三遷  146 面引廷争  147 論功行賞  148 無為徒食  149 李杜韓柳  150 六合同風  151 夢賚之良  152 維摩一黙  153 理路整然  154 両雄相闘  155 無為無能  156 明珠弾雀  157 量才録用  158 蓼虫忘辛  159 老驥伏櫪  160 柳陌花街  |
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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.