励
encourage, be diligent, inspire
Readings
On'yomi
- レイ
Kun'yomi
- はげ.む
- はげ.ます
Meaning
励 centers on pushing forward with effort and spirit: encouraging others, being diligent oneself, and inspiring action.
Most common words using 励
20 of 47- 励ますはげますN2
to encourage; to cheer on; to cheer (someone) up
- 奨励しょうれいN1
encouragement; promotion; inducement; incitement; stimulation
- 励むはげむN1
to work hard; to try hard; to strive; to endeavour; to endeavor; to devote oneself to; to make an effort; to be zealous
- 励みはげみ
encouragement; incentive; stimulus
- 激励げきれいN1
encouragement; spurring (on); cheering (on)
- 励起れいき
excitation
- 励行れいこう
strict observance (of rules, regulations, etc.); strict adherence; conscientious practice (of good habits, etc.); diligent execution (e.g. of duties); sticking to (e.g. a routine)
- 励ましはげまし
encouragement; cheering on
- 他励たれい
separate excitation
- 刻苦勉励こっくべんれい
being arduous; working diligently enduring hardships
- 刻苦精励こっくせいれい
being arduous; working diligently enduring hardships; making a strenuous effort
- 努力奮励どりょくふんれい
making strenuous efforts; exerting oneself
- 励み合いはげみあい
competition; emulation; rivalry
- 励み合うはげみあう
to vie with another; to emulate each other
- 励声れいせい
shouts of encouragement
- 励声一番れいせいいちばん
giving cries of encouragement at a critical moment
- 励声叱咤れいせいしった
cries of encouragement; shouting encouragement
- 励弧れいこ
excitation
- 励振れいしん
excitation (drive); stimulus
- 励振器れいしんき
exciter (driver)
Study
Etymology
励 combines 厉 (a variant of 厲, meaning 'whetstone' or 'encourage') with 力 (strength), suggesting the idea of sharpening one's effort or encouraging with strength.
Meaning mnemonic
The left side 厉 looks like a cliff 厂 over a tool 万, and the right side 力 is strength. Picture someone sharpening a tool on a cliffside with great effort, encouraging you to be diligent.
Reading mnemonic
For レイ, imagine a coach shouting 'Lay it all out!' to encourage the team: 'Lay' -> レイ, and the team is inspired to give their full strength.