Love the 四字熟語！

How often do they actually appear in japanese texts, and in what context ? Because I don’t remember coming into contact with many 四字熟語, at least in the (few) novels I’ve read. Is it more often used in speech, 漫画, newspapers … ?

このレッソンはどうもありがとう！

In the kanji kentei, yojijukugo questions begin at 5 kyuu, which is the latest level of shougaku (6th year).
In the 5kyu ’s renshuu dictionaey, there is 700 yojijukugo you have to know the writing ! Only for that level !

The question of 四字熟語 use frequency is interesting to me. I watch a certain amount of downloaded Japanese tv, and I occasionally hear expressions such as 一石二鳥 or 七転八起. I have also seen various expressions (such as 一世一代) as slogans on the walls of schoolrooms or offices in these shows.

However, I am not at all clear about the appropriate instances to use 四字熟語. In English, such expressions might be considered cliches to avoid, and frequent use of them might mark you as a boring writer or speaker. But I have read that the Japanese consider stock expressions to be comfortingly familiar and perhaps wise, sort of like “cultural code words.”

i always listen two or more times to ensure i get them down pat

stop by my blog if you have time!
http://lunchmaniac.blogspot.com/

Wow. I just came across 一目瞭然 while reading a blog entry! I thought to myself, “I’m sure I remember that from JapanesePod101.com” and sure enough, here it is. In case anyone is interested, here’s the link - it’s a technical blog but it’s very short and no special knowledge should be needed to read this part:

http://blogs.wankuma.com/rti/archive/2008/09/26/157515.aspx

It’s such a pleasure to come across recently learned things in the real world.