Translation guide
The act of using physical or mental effort. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through verbs and nouns that emphasize straining, striving, or putting in effort, rather than a single direct equivalent.
Expressing the use of physical strength or energy, often to the point of fatigue.
General term for effort or endeavor, applicable to both physical and mental exertion. Often used with verbs like する (to make an effort) or 重ねる (to accumulate effort).
He exerted himself to lift the heavy box.
Emphasizes physical labor or the expenditure of energy. Often used in contexts of manual work or toil.
To exert oneself physically, often risking one's body. Implies strenuous effort or putting oneself on the line.
Expressing the use of mental energy, concentration, or intellectual striving.
Also used for mental effort. Commonly paired with 勉強 (study) or 仕事 (work).
Describing exertion that is particularly intense, draining, or pushed to the limit.
Referring to exertion as a concept or a single instance of effort.
Can be used as a noun meaning effort or exertion. Often modified by adjectives like 大変な (tremendous) or (extraordinary).
There is no single Japanese word that directly corresponds to 'exertion' in all contexts. Using a dictionary translation like 努力 or 労力 without considering the nuance can sound unnatural. Choose the expression based on whether the effort is physical, mental, intense, or habitual.
努力 (どりょく) is a general term for effort, applicable to both mental and physical exertion, and often implies striving toward a goal. 労力 (ろうりょく) specifically refers to physical labor or the expenditure of energy, and is less common in everyday conversation.
He was sweating from exertion.
Natural translation using 努力.
この仕事は多くの労力を必要とする。
This job requires a lot of physical exertion.
Literally 'to put in strength', used for applying physical force or effort in a specific action.
He pushed the door with exertion.
He played with physical exertion for the team.
I exerted myself to pass the exam.
Strenuous effort or struggle, often against difficulties. Can be used for mental or physical challenges.
He is exerting himself with the difficult problem.
Literally 'to use one's head', meaning to think hard or apply mental effort.
This puzzle requires a lot of mental exertion.
To rack one's brains, to squeeze out wisdom. Implies intense mental effort to come up with an idea or solution.
We exerted our minds together and solved the problem.
He won after intense exertion.
Full power or full effort. Often used in phrases like 全力を尽くす (to give one's all) or 全力で (with all one's might).
He ran with full exertion.
Idiom meaning 'to break one's bones', i.e., to make a great effort or take pains. Implies hard, often physical, exertion.
He exerted himself to fix up the garden.
Literally 'to turn one's body into powder', meaning to work oneself to the bone. Very strong expression of exhaustive exertion.
He worked with exhausting exertion for his family.
His exertion bore fruit.
Noun for physical labor or effort. Often used in contexts of cost or expenditure of effort.
We expended great exertion.
Noun for strenuous effort or struggle. Often used in sports or challenging situations.
His exertion is praiseworthy.
その仕事は多大な精神的努力を必要とした。
The task required great mental exertion.
Uses 精神的努力 for mental exertion.