Translation guide
Expressing the idea of putting in great physical or mental effort, often over a period of time. Japanese has several common words and phrases that convey this, ranging from general hard work to intense, exhausting struggle.
Describing sustained, diligent effort in work, study, or daily life.
The most common and neutral word for effort or hard work. Can be used in almost any context.
He passed the exam through hard work.
The effort paid off.
Emphasizes persistence and doing one's best. Often used in encouragement or to praise someone's effort.
I admire her hard work.
Literally 'with all one's might'. An adverb meaning very hard, with maximum effort. Often used with verbs like 頑張る or 働く.
I studied very hard.
Conveying effort that is physically or mentally draining, like a battle or ordeal.
Strenuous effort, often in the face of difficulty. Implies a struggle or fight. Common in sports, work, or personal challenges.
I was moved by the players' strenuous efforts.
Hardship, toil, or great effort involving suffering or difficulty. Often used for long-term struggles.
Focusing on bodily effort, often manual labor or athletic training.
Effort that taxes the mind, such as studying, problem-solving, or artistic creation.
Painstaking effort, often mental. Implies careful thought and trial-and-error.
After strenuous mental effort, I found a solution.
Literally 'use one's head'. A casual way to say something requires mental effort.
This puzzle requires a lot of mental effort.
努力 is the most general term for effort. 頑張り emphasizes persistence and doing one's best, often with emotional support. 奮闘 implies a struggle against difficulty, like a fight.
Effort will always be rewarded.
I recognize your hard work.
His strenuous efforts deserve praise.
He is struggling against illness.
I'm grateful to my parents who raised me with great effort.
A four-character idiom meaning a desperate struggle against great odds. Very strong and dramatic.
We are struggling desperately to launch the new business.
Hydration is important after strenuous exercise.