fourcharacter

Fourcharacter refers to a unit in East Asian writing consisting of four Chinese characters arranged to form a fixed expression. In Chinese, these are commonly known as 四字成语 (sìzì chéngyǔ) and are a central element of traditional language, literature, and rhetoric. In practice, a fourcharacter expression conveys a concise, often idiomatic meaning that may be historical, moral, or descriptive.

The defining features of fourcharacter expressions include fixed form and a figurative sense that may not be deduced from the individual characters. They frequently originate in ancient literature, historical events, fables, or classical poetry, and their meanings are well established through usage and reference works. While their form is rigid, they are sometimes used creatively in modern writing to achieve brevity, emphasis, or cultural resonance. Common examples include 亡羊補牢 (en: mend the pen after羊 is lost), 自相矛盾 (self-contradictory), 掌上明珠 (treasured as a precious gem in one’s palm), 画龙点睛 (to dot the eye of the dragon, i.e., to add a crucial finishing touch), 画蛇添足 (to overdo it), and 一帆风顺 (smooth sailing).

Beyond Chinese, similar four-character idioms exist in other East Asian languages, notably in Japanese as 四字熟語 (yoji jukugo), which are kanji-based four-character phrases with fixed meanings. Korean usage mirrors the Chinese influence in some Sino-Korean expressions. Fourcharacter phrases play a role in education, literature, media, and branding, helping to convey complex ideas succinctly.

See also: chengyu, yonji jukugo, kanji idioms.