Japanese word

一生懸命

Pronunciation

Romajiisshōkenmei

Meaning

  • adverbhard

Example

毎日、一生懸命に勉強します。mai nichi is shō ken mei ni ben kyō shi ma su

I study hard every day.

Illustration for 一生懸命 (hard)

More examples

試合に勝つために、選手たちは毎日一生懸命練習しています。shi ai ni ka tsu ta me ni sen shu ta chi wa mai nichi is shō ken mei ren shū shi te i ma su

The players practice hard every day to win the game.

Core concept

Describes putting wholehearted effort into an activity with a strong sense of commitment.

Common phrases

  • 一生懸命に勉強するis shō ken mei ni ben kyō su ru

    study hard

  • 一生懸命に練習するis shō ken mei ni ren shū su ru

    practice hard

  • 一生懸命に頑張るis shō ken mei ni gan ba ru

    try hard

  • 一生懸命に取り組むis shō ken mei ni to ri ku mu

    work hard on ___

  • 一生懸命に働くis shō ken mei ni hatara ku

    work hard

Similar words

精一杯seiippai: To the fullest extent of one's ability.
ひたすらhitasura: With single-minded focus on one activity or purpose.
せっせとsesseto: A person works steadily and diligently at a task.
力一杯chikaraippai: A person uses all available strength in an activity.

Definition in Japanese

物事に力を出し尽くして取り組むさま。mono goto ni chikara o da shi tsu ku shi te to ri ku mu sa ma

Word origin

一生懸命 (isshōkenmei) comes from the older form 一所懸命 (isshokenmei), an expression for risking one's life to defend one's assigned land or position.

Usage tips

  • A natural conversational use is 一生懸命に働く (isshōkenmei ni hataraku), which describes working with all one's might rather than merely working for a long time.

Other meanings

  • with all one's mightadverb
  • eagerlyadverb

Word lists with this word