Japanese word

懸命

Pronunciation

Romajikenmei

Meaning

  • na-adjectivehard

Example

懸命に働きます。ken mei ni hatara ki ma su

I work hard.

Illustration for 懸命 (hard)

More examples

試合に勝つため、懸命に練習します。shi ai ni ka tsu ta me ken mei ni ren shū shi ma su

I practice hard to win the game.

Core concept

Expresses an effort made with complete commitment, often suggesting that a person gives everything to the task.

Common phrases

  • 懸命に働くken mei ni hatara ku

    work hard

  • 懸命に勉強するken mei ni ben kyō su ru

    study hard

  • 懸命に走るken mei ni hashi ru

    run hard

Similar words

一生懸命isshōkenmei: Making one's greatest effort toward a task.
熱心nesshin: Showing strong interest and steady effort in a task.
必死hisshi: Making a desperate effort when something important is at stake.
真剣shinken: Taking a task or matter seriously and giving it focused attention.

Definition in Japanese

自分の持つ力をすべて使って努力するさま。ji bun no mo tsu chikara o su be te tsuka tte do ryoku su ru sa ma

Word origin

懸命 (kenmei) is formed from 懸 (ken, "hang") and 命 (mei, "life"), and its sense connects a life at stake with doing something with all one's might.

Usage tips

  • The adverbial form 懸命に (kenmei ni) is useful for simple statements about making a strong effort, such as working hard or studying hard.

Opposites

  • 怠惰taidalazyna-adjective

Related words

  • 懸命さkenmeisaearnestnessnoun

Word lists with this word