Translation guide
Expresses dedicating time, effort, or life to a purpose, activity, or person. Japanese uses different verbs depending on what you devote yourself to: work/study, a cause, a person, or a single-minded pursuit.
The speaker focuses their energy and time on a specific activity, often with diligence.
To concentrate on one thing exclusively. Common for work, studies, or a single task.
彼は研究に専念している。
He is devoting himself to his research.
To throw oneself into an activity with passion. Often used for hobbies, sports, or work.
彼女は仕事に打ち込んでいる。
She is devoting herself to her work.
To strive, make diligent efforts. Slightly formal, often used for steady dedication.
日々練習に励んでいる。
I devote myself to practice every day.
To be absorbed in something, often to the exclusion of other things. Stronger immersion than 専念.
彼は小説の執筆に没頭している。
He is devoting himself to writing his novel.
To pour one's energy into something. Formal and somewhat literary.
全精力を研究に傾注する。
Devote all one's energy to research.
The speaker commits their life or long-term efforts to something greater, such as a mission, religion, or caring for someone.
To dedicate or offer something precious (life, time, love) to a person, cause, or deity. Often used in serious, emotional contexts.
彼は生涯を教育に捧げた。
He devoted his life to education.
彼女は家族に全てを捧げた。
She devoted everything to her family.
To do everything one can for someone or something; to serve devotedly. Often implies selfless service.
Literally 'offer one's body/life'. Stronger than 捧げる alone, emphasizing personal sacrifice.
彼は平和運動に身を捧げた。
He devoted himself to the peace movement.
To devote oneself selflessly, often used for nursing, volunteering, or religious service. Noun form 献身 is common.
彼女は看護に献身している。
She devotes herself to nursing.
The speaker is deeply absorbed in a personal interest, often as a passionate amateur.
To be really into something, to be obsessed with a hobby. Casual and common.
最近、写真に凝っている。
Lately I've been devoting myself to photography.
To be enthusiastic about something, to be hooked. Works for hobbies, games, or temporary crazes.
彼はゲームに熱中している。
He is devoting himself to video games.
To indulge in something, often with a nuance of losing oneself in it. Can be negative (e.g., drinking).
捧げる emphasizes offering something precious (life, time) to a higher purpose or person. 尽くす emphasizes exhaustive effort and service, often for someone else's sake. 捧げる can sound more dramatic; 尽くす is more about devoted action.
There is no single Japanese verb that covers all uses of 'devote oneself'. Using 捧げる for casual hobbies sounds overly dramatic. Choose the verb based on the object and intensity.
He devoted himself to his country.
彼女は夫に尽くした。
She devoted herself to her husband.
He is devoting himself to reading (lost in books).