Translation guide
The act of using physical or mental effort. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through verbs and nouns that emphasize straining, striving, or putting in effort, rather than a single direct equivalent.
Expressing the use of physical strength or energy, often to the point of fatigue.
General term for effort or endeavor, applicable to both physical and mental exertion. Often used with verbs like する (to make an effort) or 重ねる (to accumulate effort).
彼は努力して重い箱を持ち上げた。
He exerted himself to lift the heavy box.
Emphasizes physical labor or the expenditure of energy. Often used in contexts of manual work or toil.
この仕事は多くの労力を必要とする。
This job requires a lot of physical exertion.
Literally 'to put in strength', used for applying physical force or effort in a specific action.
彼は力を入れてドアを押した。
He pushed the door with exertion.
To exert oneself physically, often risking one's body. Implies strenuous effort or putting oneself on the line.
彼はチームのために体を張ってプレーした。
He played with physical exertion for the team.
Expressing the use of mental energy, concentration, or intellectual striving.
Also used for mental effort. Commonly paired with 勉強 (study) or 仕事 (work).
試験に合格するために努力した。
I exerted myself to pass the exam.
Strenuous effort or struggle, often against difficulties. Can be used for mental or physical challenges.
Literally 'to use one's head', meaning to think hard or apply mental effort.
このパズルはかなり頭を使う。
This puzzle requires a lot of mental exertion.
To rack one's brains, to squeeze out wisdom. Implies intense mental effort to come up with an idea or solution.
Describing exertion that is particularly intense, draining, or pushed to the limit.
Intense or fierce effort. Combines 激しい (intense) with 努力 (effort).
彼は激しい努力の末に優勝した。
He won after intense exertion.
Full power or full effort. Often used in phrases like 全力を尽くす (to give one's all) or 全力で (with all one's might).
彼は全力で走った。
He ran with full exertion.
Idiom meaning 'to break one's bones', i.e., to make a great effort or take pains. Implies hard, often physical, exertion.
Literally 'to turn one's body into powder', meaning to work oneself to the bone. Very strong expression of exhaustive exertion.
Referring to exertion as a concept or a single instance of effort.
Can be used as a noun meaning effort or exertion. Often modified by adjectives like 大変な (tremendous) or 並々ならぬ (extraordinary).
彼の努力が実を結んだ。
His exertion bore fruit.
Noun for physical labor or effort. Often used in contexts of cost or expenditure of effort.
Noun for strenuous effort or struggle. Often used in sports or challenging situations.
There is no single Japanese word that directly corresponds to 'exertion' in all contexts. Using a dictionary translation like 努力 or 労力 without considering the nuance can sound unnatural. Choose the expression based on whether the effort is physical, mental, intense, or habitual.
努力 (どりょく) is a general term for effort, applicable to both mental and physical exertion, and often implies striving toward a goal. 労力 (ろうりょく) specifically refers to physical labor or the expenditure of energy, and is less common in everyday conversation.
彼は難問に奮闘している。
He is exerting himself with the difficult problem.
みんなで知恵を絞って問題を解決した。
We exerted our minds together and solved the problem.
彼は骨を折って庭を整備した。
He exerted himself to fix up the garden.
彼は家族のために身を粉にして働いた。
He worked with exhausting exertion for his family.
多大な労力を費やした。
We expended great exertion.
彼の奮闘は称賛に値する。
His exertion is praiseworthy.