Translation guide
To make a careful effort, often involving extra work or attention to detail. In Japanese, this is expressed through verbs and phrases that emphasize diligence, thoroughness, and intentional effort.
Expressing that someone goes out of their way to do something carefully or thoroughly.
Literally 'to put thought/care into something.' Used when someone takes extra care or pays close attention to details.
He took pains to check the report thoroughly.
Literally 'to break one's bones.' Means to go to great trouble or make a strenuous effort. Often used when the effort is physically or mentally demanding.
She took great pains to solve the problem.
Literally 'to spend time and effort.' Implies investing considerable time and care into something.
My mother took pains to prepare dinner.
Means 'to go through hardship/trouble.' Often used when someone endures difficulties to achieve something.
He took pains to master English.
Literally 'to put one's heart and soul into something.' Conveys meticulous care and dedication, often used for craftsmanship or artistic work.
The craftsman takes pains to make furniture.
Focusing on the quality of attention to detail rather than the effort itself.
Means 'to pay the utmost attention.' Used when someone is extremely careful and thorough.
He took pains to conduct the experiment with the utmost care.
Simply means 'to do something carefully/politely.' A more everyday way to express taking care in an action.
Means 'to do something properly/neatly.' Conveys a sense of doing things correctly without cutting corners.
He took pains to clean the room properly.
Emphasizing the extra effort beyond what is normally expected.
An adverb meaning 'to go out of one's way to do something.' Often implies the action was unnecessary but done anyway as a favor or out of kindness.
He took the trouble to come pick me up at the station.
Literally 'to cause trouble/bother.' Often used humbly when someone goes to trouble for you, or when you apologize for causing trouble.
I'm sorry to have put you to so much trouble.
骨を折る emphasizes the physical or mental effort expended, while 苦労する focuses more on the hardships endured. 骨を折る is often used for a specific task, whereas 苦労する can refer to a longer period of struggle.
He took pains to make the garden beautiful.
He went through a lot of hardships when he was young.
Do not translate 'take pains' literally as 痛みを取る (to remove pain). This is a common mistake. Use the phrases provided to convey the idea of careful effort.
She took pains to write the letter neatly.