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ALL LEVELS・N1–N5
Four-Character Idioms: Japanese Word List (JLPT N1–N5)
38words (words in this theme)
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N1
悪戦苦闘
あくせんくとう
A four-character compound expressing the act of striving desperately in difficult circumstances. Used in contexts describing struggle in painful situations, as in 「新しい仕事で悪戦苦闘する」.
AI-generated translation
N1
暗中模索
あんちゅうもさく
A four-character idiom describing proceeding by trial and error without any clue. Used in situations of trial and error in unknown territory, as in「新分野で暗中模索を続ける」.
AI-generated translation
N1
意気投合
いきとうごう
A perfect match of feelings and thoughts between two people. Used in scenes where, while speaking with someone met for the first time or after a long absence, one finds the conversation harmonious and grows close. The form 「〜と意気投合する」 is the main usage.
AI-generated translation
N1
異口同音
いくどうおん
A four-character compound expressing a state in which many people say the same thing in unison. Used in scenes where opinions are unanimous in meetings or interviews. Used as in 「異口同音に称賛する」 or 「異口同音に反対する」.
AI-generated translation
N1
以心伝心
いしんでんしん
The mutual understanding of feelings between two people without needing to speak. Used in scenes where intentions are conveyed without language, such as between long-married couples, well-attuned partners, or master-disciple relationships.
AI-generated translation
N1
一部始終
いちぶしじゅう
The entirety of a matter from beginning to end. Used in the form 「一部始終を〜する」, combined with verbs such as to see, hear, tell, or witness. A formal expression referring to the whole course of an event without omission.
AI-generated translation
N1
一挙両得
いっきょりょうとく
Gaining two benefits at once through a single action. Used in contexts of praising that one effort or one creative idea yields multiple results. Mostly used in the form 「〜は一挙両得だ」.
AI-generated translation
N1
一致団結
いっちだんけつ
Many people uniting in spirit and joining forces toward the same goal. 「一致」 means that thoughts or opinions match exactly, and 「団結」 means that members of a group come together and bond closely; combining the two emphasizes the strength of that unity. It is used almost exclusively in the forms 「一致団結して」 and 「一致団結し」, as in 「住民が一致団結して反対運動を起こす」, and is rarely used on its own as a noun.
AI-generated translation
N1
一朝一夕
いっちょういっせき
A four-character compound expressing a brief time, a very short period. Often used in the form 「一朝一夕には成らない」 in contexts of saying that achieving something takes a long time. The typical pattern is to use it with negative expressions.
AI-generated translation
N1
威風堂々
いふうどうどう
A state of being dignified, imposing, and impressive. Used in scenes that leave a strong impression on viewers, such as a person's bearing, a procession, or the appearance of a building. Used in the forms 「威風堂々と〜する」 or 「威風堂々たる〜」.
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N1
意味深長
いみしんちょう
Behind a surface meaning lies a deeper implication or hidden sense. Used in the forms 「意味深長な〜」 or 「〜は意味深長だ」 in scenes where remarks, expressions, or texts cannot be interpreted simply.
AI-generated translation
N1
右往左往
うおうさおう
A state of dashing this way and that in confusion, not knowing what to do. A four-character compound used as in 「人々が右往左往する」 in scenes where many people run about in confusion in the face of a sudden event.
AI-generated translation
N1
紆余曲折
うよきょくせつ
A matter not progressing smoothly but going through a complicated course. Used as in 「紆余曲折を経て結論に至る」. A four-character compound originating from the image of a winding road, expressing situations in which arguments or plans proceed while changing many times.
AI-generated translation
N1
遠慮会釈
えんりょえしゃく
Consideration or regard for others. Mostly used in the form「遠慮会釈もない」to express behavior lacking in consideration, as in「遠慮会釈もない態度」「遠慮会釈なく意見を述べる」. A four-character idiom established in its negative form.
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N1
権謀術数
けんぼうじゅっすう
「権謀」refers to schemes for power, 「術数」refers to means of manipulating others; together they form a four-character idiom meaning cunning and devious schemes used to deceive and manipulate others to achieve one's goals. Used in expressions like「権謀術数を巡らす」(to plot schemes)、「権謀術数に長ける」(to be skilled in machinations), referring to maneuvers used in political or organizational power struggles to bring down opponents. A formal word used with a negative connotation.
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N1
誇大妄想
こだいもうそう
「誇大」 means exaggerated and inflated, and 「妄想」 means imagining without basis in fact; together they mean imagining oneself as larger than one really is. It refers to thinking of one's ability or position as far greater than reality, divorced from facts. Used in expressions like 「誇大妄想に陥る」, it is a four-character idiom used to criticize excessive self-evaluation.
AI-generated translation
N1
試行錯誤
しこうさくご
A four-character idiom meaning to find a solution through repeated trial and error. Used as in 「試行錯誤を繰り返す」「試行錯誤の末」.
AI-generated translation
N1
千変万化
せんぺんばんか
A continuous, ceaseless change in situation or appearance. A four-character idiom used to describe things that constantly transform, such as natural scenery or market movements. Also used verbally in the form 「千変万化する」. The reading is 「ぺ」 (semi-voiced), not 「べ」 (voiced).
AI-generated translation
N1
大義名分
たいぎめいぶん
「大義」means a moral principle to be honored, and「名分」means the duty one must uphold according to one's position. Together, the word refers to a noble reason that everyone can acknowledge, used to justify an action. Used in contexts that show public legitimacy, as in「大義名分を掲げる」(to hold up a just cause) or「大義名分が立つ」(to have legitimate grounds).
AI-generated translation
N1
単刀直入
たんとうちょくにゅう
Skipping introductions and roundabout expressions, getting straight to the main point. Used in expressions such as 「単刀直入に言う」「単刀直入に質問する」 in contexts of starting a conversation or negotiation directly.
AI-generated translation
N1
朝令暮改
ちょうれいぼかい
Policies changing constantly and being unreliable, as if an order issued in the morning has already changed by evening. A formal four-character idiom used critically, as in 「朝令暮改の政策」.
AI-generated translation
N1
津々浦々
つつうらうら
A word meaning "every corner of the nation, everywhere in the country." The character 「津」 refers to a port where ships come and go, and 「浦」 refers to a seashore or inlet; doubling each creates the meaning "every port, every shore," extended to "every nook and cranny of the country." It is somewhat formal written language, used as in 「津々浦々に知れ渡る」「全国津々浦々から人が集まる」. This expression reflects the geography of Japan as a country surrounded by sea, and is used to refer broadly to all regions and areas.
AI-generated translation
N1
手前味噌
てまえみそ
Praising oneself in a self-satisfied manner. An idiomatic expression used as the opening phrase 「手前味噌ですが」.
AI-generated translation
N1
手練手管
てれんてくだ
All manner of cunning means and maneuvering used to deceive or manipulate others. Both 「手練」 and 「手管」 mean "skillful techniques for manipulating an opponent," and combining the two creates a formal expression that intensifies the meaning. Used as in 「手練手管を尽くす」「手練手管に長ける」「手練手管にかかる」. While employed in a wide range of contexts including business, negotiation, and human relationships, it is particularly often used to refer to tactics for seducing the opposite sex.
AI-generated translation
N1
内憂外患
ないゆうがいかん
A situation in which a country or organization has internal worries while also being beset by external problems. Used as in「内憂外患に苦しむ」.
AI-generated translation
N1
日進月歩
にっしんげっぽ
A four-character idiom expressing constant progress day by day and month by month. Used as in「技術は日進月歩で発展している」. Used when describing a field where change and development are rapid.
AI-generated translation
N1
二律背反
にりつはいはん
A word for two propositions or claims that contradict each other and cannot both hold true. Used as in「経済成長と環境保護の二律背反」. Refers to a relationship in which choosing one side makes the other impossible.
AI-generated translation
N1
年功序列
ねんこうじょれつ
A system in which rank and pay rise according to years of service and age. Used as in「年功序列の制度」or「年功序列を見直す」, when discussing personnel systems.
AI-generated translation
N1
半信半疑
はんしんはんぎ
Refers to a state of half-belief, half-doubt. It is a four-character idiom expressing the hesitant feeling of being unable to judge whether a story is true or false. Used in expressions like 「半信半疑で話を聞く (to listen with half-belief)」「半信半疑のまま試す (to try while remaining doubtful)」「半信半疑だった (was half in doubt)」. It expresses the intermediate psychological state of being unable to fully trust, yet unable to dismiss outright. It is an established expression used in everyday conversation, novels, and news reports.
AI-generated translation
N1
傍若無人
ぼうじゃくぶじん
Refers to behaving as one pleases as if no one were around, lacking consideration for others. It is a four-character idiom used in expressions like 「傍若無人な振る舞い (high-handed conduct)」「傍若無人に振る舞う (to behave as if no one else exists)」. Read in classical Chinese style as 「傍らに人無きが若し (as if there were no one beside one)」, its literal meaning is "as if there were no one beside you". It is used in contexts strongly criticizing an attitude that pays absolutely no regard to those around.
AI-generated translation
N1
本末転倒
ほんまつてんとう
Refers to mistaking the essential parts of a matter for trivial ones. It is a four-character idiom that critically describes a state in which means have been substituted for ends, or in which priorities of importance have been reversed. Used in expressions like 「本末転倒な議論 (an argument that puts the cart before the horse)」「健康のためのダイエットで体を壊しては本末転倒だ (ruining one's health on a diet for one's health is putting the cart before the horse)」. 「本」 means the root or essence, 「末」 means the branches or tip, and the word expresses that this relationship has been 「転倒 (inverted)」.
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N1
優柔不断
ゆうじゅうふだん
The state of being unable to decide and continuing to waver. 「優柔」 means weak and soft, while 「不断」 means not cutting off or not being decisive; together they form a four-character idiom expressing a nature that lacks decisiveness. Refers to the tendency, in situations requiring decision or action, to vacillate between options and postpone conclusions. Often used adjectivally, as in 「優柔不断な性格」 or 「優柔不断な態度」. Used as a negative evaluation, in contexts that point out weakness of will or lack of judgment in the person in question.
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N1
用意周到
よういしゅうとう
Being thoroughly prepared, with attention paid to every detail and nothing overlooked. 「用意」 means preparing, and 「周到」 means that care has been taken everywhere; combined, they express how complete the preparation is. Used as in 「用意周到な計画」 or 「用意周到に下調べをする」. It can be praise, but it can also carry the sense that someone is shrewd and not to be taken lightly.
AI-generated translation
Vocabulary data on this site is based on the JMdict/EDICT project (© Electronic Dictionary Research and Development Group, CC BY-SA 4.0). JLPT level classification is our own assessment using AI (Claude) and is not an official JLPT standard.