Translation guide
Expresses putting in great effort, diligence, or labor. Japanese has many nuanced ways to say 'work hard,' depending on context: physical labor, studying, striving toward a goal, or encouraging someone.
毎日一生懸命働いています。
I work hard every day.
頑張って！
Work hard! (encouragement)
To say someone works hard in general, is diligent, or puts in a lot of effort.
The most common and neutral way to say 'work hard' (literally 'work with all one's might'). Suitable for both physical and mental work.
彼は毎日一生懸命働いている。
He works hard every day.
Very common, slightly more casual than 一生懸命. Often used in spoken encouragement or self-motivation.
今日も頑張って働こう。
Let's work hard today too.
Means 'diligent' or 'hardworking' as a character trait. Often used in formal or written contexts.
彼女はとても勤勉な学生だ。
She is a very hardworking student.
Means 'to make an effort' or 'to strive.' Focuses on the act of trying hard, often toward a goal.
成功するために努力している。
I'm working hard to succeed.
To emphasize hard physical work, often with a sense of toil or sweat.
Literally 'work while sweating,' vividly describes hard physical labor. Common in both speech and writing.
父は汗水流して家族を養った。
My father worked hard (by the sweat of his brow) to support the family.
Means 'to work risking one's body,' implying physically demanding or dangerous work.
彼は体を張って働く職人だ。
He is a craftsman who works hard physically.
Literally 'put out spirit/energy,' meaning to work diligently, often physically. Slightly old-fashioned.
To express working hard in an academic context, such as studying or preparing for exams.
Means 'to study furiously/intensely.' Very common for exam preparation.
試験前に猛勉強した。
I studied really hard before the exam.
Literally 'study desperately,' conveys a sense of urgency and extreme effort.
彼は合格するために必死に勉強している。
He is studying desperately hard to pass.
Slang for 'to grind/study obsessively,' often with a negative nuance of being a nerd.
彼はいつもガリ勉している。
He's always grinding away at his studies.
Cheering someone on or telling them to do their best.
The most common way to say 'Do your best!' or 'Work hard!' Used in countless situations.
試験、頑張ってね。
Good luck on your exam (Work hard!).
Means 'Do it properly/thoroughly,' often used to encourage someone to work hard and not slack off.
仕事、しっかりやってください。
Please work hard at your job.
Literally 'Do your best with all your might.' Stronger encouragement, often used in sports or challenges.
試合で精一杯頑張れ！
Give it your all in the match!
To describe working hard in one's job or career, often with a sense of dedication.
Means 'to devote oneself to work.' Implies passion and immersion.
彼は新しいプロジェクトに打ち込んでいる。
He is working hard on the new project.
Onomatopoeic phrase meaning 'to work energetically/hard,' often used for ambitious career people.
彼女はバリバリ働くキャリアウーマンだ。
She's a career woman who works really hard.
Means 'to struggle hard' or 'to fight hard,' often used in business or sports contexts.
社員たちは目標達成のために奮闘している。
The employees are working hard to achieve the target.
一生懸命 describes the manner of working hard (adverb), while 頑張って is often used as encouragement ('Do your best'). 頑張って働く combines both.
Avoid directly translating 'work hard' as ハードに働く (hādo ni hataraku). While understood, it sounds unnatural. Use the phrases above instead.
農夫は畑仕事に精を出している。
The farmer is working hard in the fields.