Translation guide
The English word 'painstaking' describes work, effort, or attention that is extremely careful, thorough, and meticulous. This guide helps learners express this concept naturally in Japanese, focusing on common adjectives, verbs, and set phrases.
Describing work, research, or effort that is done with great care and attention to detail.
A common adjective meaning 'painstaking', 'meticulous', or 'elaborate'. Used for careful, thorough work.
彼は丹念な調査を行った。
He carried out a painstaking investigation.
Means 'careful', 'scrupulous', 'thorough'. Often used for preparations or checks.
入念な準備が必要だ。
Painstaking preparation is necessary.
Similar to 入念な, meaning 'elaborate', 'careful', 'thorough'. Often used for work or planning.
念入りな計画を立てた。
We made a painstaking plan.
A set phrase meaning 'to pay meticulous attention'. Used when extreme care is taken.
細心の注意を払って作業した。
I worked with painstaking care.
Means 'elaborate', 'detailed', 'meticulous'. Often used for plans, designs, or analysis.
緻密な計算が必要だ。
Painstaking calculations are required.
Describing a task or process that is tedious and requires great patience and attention.
An adjective meaning 'laborious', 'painstaking', literally 'bone-breaking'. Emphasizes the effort involved.
これは骨の折れる仕事だ。
This is painstaking work.
Means 'time-consuming', 'troublesome'. Used for tasks that require a lot of effort and care.
手間のかかる作業だった。
It was a painstaking task.
Means 'requiring patience/perseverance'. Used for tasks that demand sustained careful effort.
根気のいる細かい作業だ。
It's painstaking, detailed work.
Describing how an action is performed with great care and thoroughness.
Adverbial form of 丹念な. 'Painstakingly', 'meticulously'.
彼は丹念に資料を調べた。
He painstakingly examined the documents.
Adverbial form of 入念な. 'Carefully', 'thoroughly'.
入念にチェックした。
I checked it painstakingly.
Adverbial form of 念入りな. 'Elaborately', 'with great care'.
念入りに掃除した。
I cleaned painstakingly.
A phrase meaning 'taking time and effort', 'painstakingly'. Emphasizes the investment of effort.
手間暇かけて作り上げた。
I completed it painstakingly.
These three words are very similar and often interchangeable. 丹念 (たんねん) emphasizes meticulousness and thoroughness, often used for research or examination. 入念 (にゅうねん) stresses carefulness and scrupulousness, common for preparations and checks. 念入り (ねんいり) is slightly more colloquial and implies elaborate, detailed work. In many contexts, they can be used interchangeably without significant change in meaning.
Do not translate 'painstaking' literally as 痛みを伴う (いたみをともなう, accompanied by pain) or 苦労する (くろうする, to suffer). These do not convey the meaning of careful, meticulous work. Use the adjectives and phrases provided instead.
彼女は丹念な仕事をした。
She did a painstaking job.
修復には骨の折れる努力が必要だった。
The restoration required painstaking effort.