Common Japanese idioms and four-character yojijukugo compounds with their literal characters and figurative meaning. Front: the Japanese word or phrase (romaji romanization in parentheses). Back: English meaning.
- 一期一会 (ichigo ichie)
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One time, one meeting; treasure each encounter as unique- 四面楚歌 (shimensouka)
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Surrounded by enemies on all sides; completely isolated and threatened- 一寸先は闇 (issun saki wa yami)
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An inch ahead is darkness; the future is unpredictable- 七転び八起き (nana korobi ya oki)
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Fall seven times, stand up eight times; perseverance through adversity- 花鳥風月 (kacho fugetsu)
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Flowers, birds, wind, moon; the beauty of nature and the four seasons- 馬耳東風 (baji toufuu)
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Horse ears and east wind; indifference to others' words, in one ear and out the other- 蛙の子は蛙 (kaeru no ko wa kaeru)
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A frog's child is a frog; like parent, like child- 井の中の蛙 (i no naka no kaeru)
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A frog in a well; a person with limited perspective and narrow worldview- 犬も歩けば棒に当たる (inu mo arukeba bou ni ataru)
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Even a dog walking around bumps into a stick; good luck comes with effort- 猫に小判 (neko ni koban)
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Casting pearls before swine; giving something valuable to someone who cannot appreciate it- 虎の子 (tora no ko)
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Tiger's child; a treasured possession or beloved child- 竜頭蛇尾 (ryutou datsubi)
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Dragon head, snake tail; starting with great promise but ending weakly- 亀の甲より年の劫 (kame no kou yori toshi no kou)
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More valuable than a tortoise's shell is the wisdom of age- 獅子身中の虫 (shishi shinchu no mushi)
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A worm in a lion's body; a traitor or enemy within one's own organization- 鶴は千年亀は万年 (tsuru wa sennen kame wa mannen)
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Cranes live a thousand years, tortoises ten thousand; symbols of longevity and good fortune
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