1.
four-character compound; four-character idiom
A fixed expression consisting of four kanji characters, often derived from classical Chinese. These are a distinctive feature of the Japanese language and are commonly tested in school examinations.
四字熟語のテストがある。
There's a test on four-character idioms.
一石二鳥はよく使われる四字熟語だ。
"Killing two birds with one stone" is a commonly used four-character idiom.
スピーチに四字熟語を入れると格調高い印象を与える。
Including four-character idioms in a speech gives an impression of refinement.
CULTURE:
Four-character compounds are an important part of Japanese education and literacy. Students learn them throughout elementary and middle school, and they frequently appear on exams. Many are borrowed from classical Chinese texts. Examples include 一期一会 (once-in-a-lifetime encounter), 以心伝心 (unspoken understanding), and 弱肉強食 (survival of the fittest).
WORD FORMATION:
四字 (four characters) + 熟語 (compound word).
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 熟語: compound word (any length)
- 慣用句: idiomatic expression (not limited to four characters)
- 故事成語: proverb derived from classical stories