Japanese word

尽くす

Pronunciation

Romajitsukusu

Meaning

  • verbdo one's best

Example

私は力を尽くします。watashi wa chikara o tsu ku shi ma su

I will do my best.

Illustration for 尽くす (do one's best)

More examples

困っている友人のために最後まで尽くします。koma tte i ru yū jin no ta me ni sai go ma de tsu ku shi ma su

I will do my best for my friend to the very end.

Core concept

Describes using every bit of one's available effort for a task, leaving nothing in reserve.

Common phrases

  • 力を尽くすchikara o tsu ku su

    do one's best

  • 最善を尽くすsai zen o tsu ku su

    do one's best

  • 手を尽くすte o tsu ku su

    use every means

Similar words

頑張るganbaru: To work hard and keep trying to reach a desired result.

Definition in Japanese

持っている力をすべて出し、全力で物事に取り組む。mo tte i ru chikara o su be te da shi zen ryoku de mono goto ni to ri ku mu

Word origin

The native Japanese verb 尽くす (tsukusu, "to use up or devote fully") is the transitive counterpart of 尽きる (tsukiru, "to run out"), expressing the idea of bringing effort to its limit.

Usage tips

  • The phrase 力を尽くす (chikara o tsukusu) sounds more earnest and formal than 頑張る (ganbaru), so it often describes a serious effort.

Other meanings

  • devote oneselfverb
  • exhaustverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word