Translation guide
Expresses doing something with maximum effort or intensity. Japanese uses adverbs like 一生懸命, 精一杯, or verb + できるだけ to convey this idea.
I'll try as hard as I can.
He ran as hard as he could.
To do something as hard as one can, putting in all one's effort.
Common adverb meaning 'with all one's might' or 'as hard as one can'. Used for earnest effort.
I studied as hard as I could.
Means 'to the best of one's ability' or 'with all one's might'. Slightly more formal than 一生懸命.
I'll do my best (as hard as I can).
Literally 'as much as one can'. Used before a verb to mean 'as hard as one can' in the sense of doing something to the fullest extent possible.
I ran as fast as I could.
Means 'with full power' or 'at full strength'. Often used in sports or physical effort.
I ran as hard as I could.
Means 'desperately' or 'frantically'. Implies a sense of urgency or life-or-death effort.
I ran away as hard as I could.
To perform an action with the greatest possible force or intensity, such as hitting, shouting, etc.
Means 'with all one's strength' or 'to one's heart's content'. Used for physical actions done without holding back.
I threw the ball as hard as I could.
Means 'to the limit' or 'as much as possible'. Can be used for effort or volume.
一生懸命 is more common in everyday speech and implies earnest, dedicated effort. 精一杯 is slightly more formal and often used to express that one has done everything possible, sometimes with a nuance of 'this is all I can do'.
I'm working as hard as I can.
I did my very best.
Avoid directly translating 'as hard as one can' word-for-word. Phrases like できるだけ硬く (as hard as possible in texture) mean something completely different. Use the adverbs listed here for effort or intensity.
She studied as hard as she could for the exam.
Hit the ball as hard as you can!
Literally 'with full strength'. Used for physical force.
I pushed as hard as I could.
目一杯叫んだ。
I shouted as loud as I could.