Japanese word

努力

Pronunciation

Romajidoryoku

Meaning

  • nounhard work, effort

Example

毎日の努力が大切です。mai nichi no do ryoku ga tai setsu de su

Daily hard work is important.

Illustration for 努力 (hard work)

More examples

毎日、漢字を覚えるために努力します。mai nichi kan ji o obo e ru ta me ni do ryoku shi ma su

I work hard every day to learn kanji.

私は目標のために努力を続けています。watashi wa moku hyō no ta me ni do ryoku o tsuzu ke te i ma su

I keep working hard toward my goal.

Core concept

Describes sustained action and determination directed toward achieving a goal.

Common phrases

  • 努力するdo ryoku su ru

    work hard

  • 努力が実るdo ryoku ga mino ru

    efforts pay off

  • 努力を続けるdo ryoku o tsuzu ke ru

    keep working hard

Similar words

頑張りganbari: Steady effort shown by someone who keeps trying despite difficulty.

Definition in Japanese

目標を実現するために、力を尽くして取り組み続けること。moku hyō o jitsu gen su ru ta me ni chikara o tsu ku shi te to ri ku mi tsuzu ke ru ko to

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese compound 努力 (doryoku, "hard work") combines 努 (do, "exert oneself") and 力 (ryoku, "power").

Usage tips

  • Japanese speakers can use 努力 (doryoku) for the work of a person, team, or organization, making the word useful beyond individual study or training.

Opposites

  • 怠けnamakelazinessnoun

Related words

  • 努力家doryokukahardworking personnoun

Word lists with this word