Translation guide
Expresses doing something with maximum physical or mental effort. Japanese uses adverbs, set phrases, and mimetic words to convey intensity.
To do something using all of one's physical strength or energy.
The most common and versatile way to say 'with all one's might' for physical actions. Literally 'with full power'.
彼は全力で走った。
He ran with all his might.
全力でボールを投げてください。
Please throw the ball with all your might.
To do something with all one's mental energy, willpower, or emotional intensity.
To shout, cry, or sing with maximum volume or force.
全力で is for physical effort (running, throwing), while 一生懸命 is for sustained effort (studying, working). 必死に adds a sense of desperation.
Avoid directly translating 'with all one's might' word-for-word. Phrases like すべての力で are unnatural. Use the set expressions above.
Literally 'full of strength'. Emphasizes using all one's physical power, often in a single burst.
力いっぱい押したが、ドアは開かなかった。
I pushed with all my might, but the door wouldn't open.
Means 'to the best of one's ability' or 'with all one's might'. Can be used for both physical and mental effort.
精一杯頑張ります。
I'll do my best with all my might.
Literally 'with one's whole body/soul'. Used before nouns to describe an action done with all one's might. Often in sports or dramatic contexts.
渾身の一撃を放った。
He delivered a blow with all his might.
The standard way to express doing something with great effort, often used for studying, working, or trying hard. Implies earnestness.
一生懸命勉強した。
I studied with all my might.
彼女は一生懸命に働いている。
She is working with all her might.
Literally 'with the desperation of facing death'. Conveys frantic, desperate effort. Stronger than 一生懸命.
必死に逃げた。
I fled with all my might.
彼は必死に助けを求めた。
He desperately cried for help with all his might.
Very strong expression meaning 'like a madman' or 'with frantic desperation'. Used for extreme, life-or-death effort.
死に物狂いで働いた。
I worked with all my might, like a madman.
Literally 'to the limit of one's strength'. Can be used for shouting, but also for physical actions.
力の限り声を張り上げた。
I raised my voice with all my might.