In our journey through life, we all face moments of doubt, failure, and defeat. At times, it feels easier to give in than to keep moving forward. But there’s a Japanese expression that reminds us to keep going, no matter what. It's a powerful four-character idiom called 百折不撓 (Hyakusetsu-Futō), and it might just become your new favorite motivational mantra.
Image: The Japanese calligraphy for "百折不撓"
What Is Yojijukugo?
Japanese has a unique category of idioms called yojijukugo (四字熟語), meaning "four-character compounds." These phrases, often rooted in ancient Chinese philosophy, carry rich meanings in just four kanji. They're compact, elegant, and often used to express deep life lessons.
Hyakusetsu-Futō is one such phrase — and it’s one that has personally left a strong impression on me.
Breaking Down 百折不撓
Let’s take a closer look at what this phrase really means.
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百 (hyaku) — "a hundred"
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折 (setsu) — "to break" or "to be defeated"
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不 (fu) — "not"
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撓 (tō) — "to yield" or "to bend"
Put together, 百折不撓 literally translates to:
“Even if you are broken a hundred times, do not bend.”
Figuratively, it means: no matter how many times you fail, you keep standing up — with your will unshaken and your spirit unbroken.
A Universal Idea: Resilience
Although it’s a Japanese phrase, the spirit of Hyakusetsu-Futō is universal. It’s similar to English expressions like:
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“Fall down seven times, stand up eight.”
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“What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”
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“Never give up.”
But for me, Hyakusetsu-Futō goes beyond just encouragement. It carries a quiet kind of strength — the kind that doesn’t shout, but stands tall. It’s not about dramatic victories, but about quiet persistence. It's the strength of continuing forward when no one is watching.
Why This Phrase Means So Much to Me
I still remember the first time I came across this phrase. I was learning about Japanese idioms and stumbled upon 百折不撓. Something about it immediately struck a chord with me.
The idea of someone being broken again and again — facing defeat, disappointment, hardship — and still choosing not to yield... it felt incredibly human, and deeply admirable.
To live by this phrase is to embrace failure, not as a sign of weakness, but as part of the process. And to stand tall despite that — that, to me, is not only impressive. It’s beautiful.
Ever since then, whenever I hit a wall or feel overwhelmed, I think of Hyakusetsu-Futō. It's not just a phrase — it’s a mindset. And it gives me courage.
Real-Life Examples of 百折不撓
You can see this spirit all around you:
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A student who fails an entrance exam but studies harder for the next year.
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An athlete who gets injured but trains through rehab to return stronger.
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An entrepreneur who launches multiple failed startups but keeps trying.
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A single parent raising kids through difficult circumstances, day by day.
None of these people have an easy path — but they keep going. That’s 百折不撓 in action.
Calligraphy Meets Philosophy
If you ever see the phrase 百折不撓 written in traditional Japanese calligraphy, you’ll notice how strong and flowing the strokes are. There’s a quiet determination in the way each kanji is written. Whether in brush style or textbook form, the characters themselves seem to embody resilience.
Including an image of this phrase in your space — as art, wallpaper, or even a small reminder on your desk — can serve as a daily nudge to stay strong.
Final Thoughts: How Will You Live 百折不撓?
Life will knock us down — more than once. But that doesn’t mean we’re broken. What matters is whether we let the defeat shape us or stop us.
So I leave you with this question:
When was the last time you lived 百折不撓?
Maybe you’re in that moment right now. If so, don’t forget — even if you’ve been knocked down a hundred times, you don’t have to bend.
Keep standing. Keep going.
Have you encountered a phrase or idea that helped you through hard times? Let me know in the comments — or share this with someone who needs a little encouragement today.
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