Translation guide
Expresses putting in maximum effort, doing one's best, or striving earnestly. Japanese has several common phrases ranging from casual to formal, with nuances of physical/mental effort, perseverance, or giving it everything you've got.
General expression of trying as hard as possible, often used in encouragement or personal resolve.
The most common and versatile way to say 'do one's best' or 'try hard'. Used in almost any context, from school to work to sports.
I'll do my best for the exam.
Do your best! / Good luck!
Literally 'do with all one's might'. Emphasizes wholehearted effort. Slightly more intense than 頑張る.
Formal expression meaning 'to exert all one's power/effort'. Used in serious contexts, speeches, or writing.
I will fight with all my might.
Continuing to try hard over time, not giving up despite difficulties.
Putting in maximum effort without holding back, often in a single burst or decisive moment.
Means 'do to the best of one's ability' or 'do as much as one can'. Common in both speech and writing.
I gave it my all, so I have no regrets.
Literally 'do to the limit of one's strength'. Poetic or emphatic; often used in dramatic contexts.
I ran as hard as I could.
Literally 'do like one is desperate to avoid death'. Extremely intense, conveys frantic, all-out effort.
I studied like my life depended on it.
Formal or literary expressions for trying very hard, often with a sense of striving toward a goal.
Means 'to endeavor', 'to strive'. Used in formal speech and writing. Often followed by ようにする or ます.
I will strive to solve the problem.
Means 'to make an effort', 'to work hard'. Noun 努力 (effort) + する. Very common in both speech and writing.
He made efforts to succeed.
Means 'to strive', 'to endeavor', often with a sense of diligence. Somewhat literary.
While 頑張る is the go-to phrase, using it in every situation can sound repetitive. In formal contexts, prefer 努力する or 努める. For intense effort, use 全力を尽くす or 精一杯やる.
頑張る is more about emotional encouragement and personal resolve, while 努力する is more objective and often refers to sustained, measurable effort. 頑張って！ is a cheer; 努力してください is a formal request to make an effort.
I tried my hardest, but I couldn't win.
彼は最後まで粘って逆転した。
He persevered until the end and turned the tables.
日々研究に励んでいます。
I am devoting myself to research every day.