Translation guide
The English phrase "being arduous" describes something that is difficult, tiring, or demanding great effort. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through various adjectives, verbs, and phrases that convey hardship, strenuousness, or laboriousness. The most natural translations depend on whether you are describing a task, a process, or a general state of difficulty.
Describing a task, journey, or process that is physically or mentally demanding and exhausting.
A versatile adjective meaning 'tough', 'hard', or 'arduous'. It can describe tasks, situations, or experiences that require great effort. Very common in everyday speech.
この仕事は大変だ。
This job is arduous.
山登りは大変だった。
The mountain climb was arduous.
An adjective meaning 'tough', 'demanding', or 'grueling'. Often used for physically strenuous activities or strict schedules. More casual than 大変.
このトレーニングはきつい。
This training is arduous.
毎日12時間働くのはきつい。
Working 12 hours every day is arduous.
An idiomatic phrase literally meaning 'bones break', used to describe something that is very laborious or backbreaking. It emphasizes the physical toll of a task.
この翻訳は骨が折れる仕事だ。
This translation is an arduous task.
A somewhat formal or literary term meaning 'hardship' or 'arduousness'. It can be used as a noun or a na-adjective. Less common in casual conversation.
その旅は難儀を極めた。
The journey was extremely arduous.
Describing a long-term endeavor, study, or project that is arduous due to its duration and sustained difficulty.
A phrase meaning 'requires patience/perseverance'. It highlights the mental stamina needed for a tedious or prolonged task.
この研究は根気がいる。
This research is arduous (requires perseverance).
An adjective meaning 'persevering' or 'patient'. It describes a person's ability to endure arduous tasks, but can also imply the task itself requires such endurance.
辛抱強い努力が必要だ。
Arduous (patient) effort is necessary.
Describing a situation or task that is arduous primarily due to mental strain, stress, or emotional difficulty.
A phrase meaning 'mentally tough/hard'. It specifies that the arduousness is psychological rather than physical.
介護は精神的にきつい仕事だ。
Caregiving is a mentally arduous job.
An expression meaning 'feel heavy-hearted' or 'depressing'. It describes the emotional burden of an arduous task or situation.
その仕事を考えると気が重い。
Thinking about that task is arduous (makes me feel heavy).
大変 (taihen) is a general-purpose word for 'hard' or 'tough' and can be used in formal and informal contexts. きつい (kitsui) is more colloquial and often implies physical tightness or intensity, like a demanding schedule or strenuous exercise. Use きつい for physical grueling tasks, and 大変 for broader difficulties.
The English word 'arduous' is relatively formal. Direct translations like 困難 (konnan, 'difficulty') or 労苦 (rouku, 'toil') can sound stiff or literary. In most everyday situations, 大変 or きつい are more natural choices.