Translation guide
The ability to control one's own actions, emotions, or urges; self-discipline and determination.
ダイエットをする意志力がない。
I don't have the willpower to diet.
Natural but slightly formal. More casual: ダイエットのやる気が出ない。
彼女はすごい意志力の持ち主だ。
She has amazing willpower.
The general ability to resist impulses, stick to goals, or do what needs to be done despite difficulty.
The most direct translation for 'willpower' as a psychological strength. Common in self-help and formal contexts.
意志力が強い人は目標を達成しやすい。
People with strong willpower tend to achieve their goals.
ダイエットには意志力が必要だ。
Dieting requires willpower.
Emphasizes self-restraint and the ability to control desires or emotions. Often used in contexts of resisting temptation.
自制心を鍛える方法を教えてください。
Please tell me how to strengthen my self-control.
彼は自制心が足りない。
He lacks self-control.
Mental strength or fortitude. Broader than willpower, often used for enduring hardship or maintaining focus.
精神力で困難を乗り越えた。
I overcame the difficulty through mental strength.
Literary term for self-conquest or self-mastery. Rare in everyday speech, but appears in philosophical or martial arts contexts.
克己心を養う。
Cultivate self-mastery.
The firm decision to achieve something, often in the face of obstacles.
Will, volition, or determination. Often used in phrases like 'strong will' or 'will to do something'.
彼は強い意志を持っている。
He has a strong will.
意志が弱くて、つい甘いものを食べてしまう。
My will is weak, so I end up eating sweets.
Resolution or determination, often for a specific goal. Implies a conscious decision.
Motivation or drive to do something. More about enthusiasm than strict self-control, but often overlaps with willpower in casual contexts.
The act of saying no to a particular desire, like food, shopping, or procrastination.
To endure, bear, or put up with something. Very common for resisting urges or discomfort.
甘いものを我慢する。
I resist sweets. / I hold back from eating sweets.
もう我慢できない！
I can't resist any longer!
To suppress or hold back (tears, laughter, anger, etc.). More about emotional control.
涙をこらえた。
I held back my tears.
To cut off or abstain from something. Often used for quitting habits.
甘いものを断つ。
I cut out sweets.
意志力 (willpower) is the psychological resource for self-control. 自制心 (self-control) is the trait of restraining impulses. 精神力 (mental strength) is broader, encompassing resilience and endurance. In daily conversation, 意志力 and 自制心 are often interchangeable, but 自制心 is more about resisting temptation, while 意志力 can also refer to proactive goal pursuit.
意志力が尽きると、自制心も弱まる。
When willpower is depleted, self-control also weakens.
意志力 is a somewhat formal or psychological term. In everyday conversation, Japanese speakers often use simpler expressions like 我慢する (to endure) or やる気 (motivation) instead of explicitly saying 'willpower'.
ダイエット中だけど、ケーキを我慢した。
I'm on a diet, but I resisted the cake. (Natural)
ダイエット中だけど、意志力でケーキを断った。
I'm on a diet, and I refused the cake through willpower. (Unnatural/overly formal)
禁煙するには強い意志力が必要だ。
It takes a lot of willpower to quit smoking.
もっと意志力があればいいのに。
I wish I had more willpower.
He resolved to quit smoking.
I can't muster the willpower/motivation.