Translation guide
Expresses dedicating time, effort, or life to a cause, activity, or person. Japanese uses different verbs depending on the nuance: pouring effort into work/study, committing to a cause, or immersing in a hobby.
To put serious effort and time into a job, study, or project.
To throw oneself into an activity with passion and concentration. Commonly used for hobbies, work, or study.
He is devoting himself to his research.
I devote myself to piano practice every day.
To concentrate exclusively on one thing, often setting aside other activities. Slightly formal.
She is devoting herself to writing her novel.
To be absorbed in something, often to the point of forgetting surroundings. Stronger immersion than 打ち込む.
He is devoting himself to game development.
Literally 'pour one's energy into'. Emphasizes sustained effort and dedication.
He devotes himself to education.
Literally 'pour one's heart and blood into'. Very strong, dramatic expression for total dedication.
He devoted himself heart and soul to that project.
To dedicate one's life or career to a higher purpose, such as social work, religion, or art.
To offer or dedicate something precious (life, time, self) to a person, cause, or deity. Often used for lifelong devotion.
He devoted his life to the peace movement.
To do everything one can for someone or something; to serve or devote oneself exhaustively. Often used with ～のために.
Literally 'offer one's body/self'. Stronger than 捧げる alone, implying personal sacrifice.
He devoted himself to the advancement of science.
To devote one's entire life. Emphasizes lifelong commitment.
She devoted her whole life to education.
To spend a lot of free time enthusiastically on a hobby or personal pursuit.
To be crazy about or obsessed with a hobby. Casual and common.
He's been devoting himself to photography lately.
Slang for being hooked on or addicted to something fun. Very casual.
To be absorbed in a hobby, often with a nuance of being particular about details. Can also mean 'to be elaborate'.
打ち込む is the most common for passionate dedication to an activity. 専念する implies focusing on one thing exclusively, often temporarily setting aside other tasks. 没頭する suggests deep absorption, sometimes to the point of ignoring surroundings.
I plan to devote myself to writing a novel during summer vacation.
He was so absorbed in his book that he didn't notice me.
There is no single Japanese verb that covers all uses of 'devote oneself'. Using 捧げる for casual hobbies sounds overly dramatic. Choose the verb based on the intensity and context.
I devote my weekends to gardening.
She devoted herself entirely to her children.
彼は会社のために尽くした。
He devoted himself to the company.
She devoted herself to her husband.
I've been devoting myself to gardening lately.
He is devoting himself to cooking (as a hobby).