Translation guide
To put in physical or mental effort, often beyond the usual level. Japanese expresses this with verbs for striving, working hard, or pushing oneself, depending on the nuance.
Expressing that someone is putting in great effort, often physically or mentally demanding.
General term for making an effort or striving. Can be used in many contexts.
彼は試験に合格するために努力した。
He exerted himself to pass the exam.
Focus on physical exertion, often in sports or manual labor.
Warning or describing excessive effort leading to negative consequences.
To push oneself too hard, to overdo it. Often used as a caution.
無理をしないでください。
Don't exert yourself too much.
To concentrate intensely for a long time, often leading to strain. Used for mental exertion.
The English phrase 'exert oneself' often sounds formal. In Japanese, using 努力する or 頑張る is more natural in most contexts. Direct translations like '自分を exert する' do not exist.
努力する is more about making a sustained effort toward a goal, while 頑張る is about doing one's best in a given situation, often with a sense of perseverance. 頑張る is more common in spoken encouragement.
彼女はプロジェクトを期限内に終わらせるために努力した。
She exerted herself to finish the project on time.
この暑さの中、無理をしないでね。
Don't exert yourself too much in this heat.
To do one's best, to persist. Very common in daily conversation.
最後まで頑張ってください。
Please exert yourself until the end.
To exert all one's strength or ability. Slightly more formal.
彼はチームのために力を尽くした。
He exerted himself for the team.
To work oneself to the bone, to exert oneself to the point of exhaustion. Idiomatic.
彼女は家族のために身を粉にして働いた。
She exerted herself working for her family.
To be full of energy and eagerness, to exert oneself enthusiastically.
選手たちは試合で張り切っていた。
The players exerted themselves in the match.
To put one's body on the line, to exert oneself physically, often with risk.
彼は友達を守るために体を張った。
He exerted himself physically to protect his friend.
根を詰めて仕事をしすぎると、体を壊しますよ。
If you exert yourself too much working, you'll ruin your health.