Japanese word

励む

Pronunciation

Romajihagemu

Meaning

  • verbwork hard

Example

毎日、勉強に励みます。mai nichi ben kyō ni hage mi ma su

I work hard at my studies every day.

Illustration for 励む (work hard)

More examples

新しい技術を身につけるため、毎晩の練習に励んでいます。atara shi i gi jutsu o mi ni tsu ke ru ta me mai ban no ren shū ni hage n de i ma su

To learn new skills, I practice hard every night.

Core concept

Conveys a person committing energy and attention to an activity and continuing with it diligently.

Common phrases

  • 勉強に励むben kyō ni hage mu

    work hard at one's studies

  • 仕事に励むshi goto ni hage mu

    work hard at one's job

  • 練習に励むren shū ni hage mu

    practice hard

  • 学業に励むgaku gyō ni hage mu

    work diligently at one's studies

  • 研究に励むken kyū ni hage mu

    work hard on research

Similar words

頑張るganbaru: To make a strong effort to achieve a goal or get through a difficult situation.
努めるtsutomeru: To make a sustained effort to do something or reach a goal.
打ち込むuchikomu: To devote oneself deeply to an activity and give it focused attention.

Definition in Japanese

目標を達成するために、力を尽くして熱心に取り組む。moku hyō o tas sei su ru ta me ni chikara o tsu ku shi te nes shin ni to ri ku mu

Word origin

The native Japanese verb 励む (hagemu) has no securely established derivation; its kanji 励 (rei, "encourage") expresses the related idea of urging someone toward effort.

Usage tips

  • The pattern of using 励む (hagemu) for regular study or work gives it a more sustained sense than 頑張る (ganbaru, "do one's best"), which also fits a single challenge.

Other meanings

  • devote oneself to ___verb
  • striveverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word