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.
彼は念を入れて報告書をチェックした。
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.
彼女は骨を折ってその問題を解決した。
She took great pains to solve the problem.
Literally 'to spend time and effort.' Implies investing considerable time and care into something.
母は手間をかけて夕食を作った。
My mother took pains to prepare dinner.
Means 'to go through hardship/trouble.' Often used when someone endures difficulties to achieve something.
彼は苦労して英語を習得した。
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.
職人が丹精を込めて家具を作る。
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.
彼は細心の注意を払って実験を行った。
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.
彼女は丁寧に手紙を書いた。
She took pains to write the letter neatly.
Means 'to do something properly/neatly.' Conveys a sense of doing things correctly without cutting corners.
彼はきちんと部屋を掃除した。
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.
彼はわざわざ駅まで迎えに来てくれた。
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.
お手数をかけてすみません。
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.
彼は骨を折って庭をきれいにした。
He took pains to make the garden beautiful.
彼は若い頃ずいぶん苦労した。
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.