努力します（どりょくします、doryokushimasu）
- to make an effort

The Japanese word 努力します means "to make an effort," "to strive," "to work hard," or "to endeavor." It conveys the idea of putting in effort and working towards a goal or objective. The word implies a sense of persistence and dedication, often in the face of challenges. 努力します often suggests that the task at hand might be difficult and require sustained commitment.

⚫︎試験のために、毎日努力します。 Translation: I study hard every day for the exam. ⚫︎日本語を上手に話せるように、努力します。 Translation: I will strive to speak Japanese well. ⚫︎目標を達成するために、努力します。 Translation: I will make an effort to achieve my goal.

You use 努力します when you want to express that you are actively working towards achieving something. It's suitable in various situations, such as: ⚫︎Talking about your studies or work. ⚫︎Discussing personal goals or aspirations. ⚫︎Expressing your commitment to improving or achieving a certain level of skill. ⚫︎In polite and formal settings.

⚫︎The word is typically written with kanji and hiragana: 努力します. ⚫︎The kanji 努力 (どりょく) means "effort" or "endeavor." ⚫︎The hiragana ます (masu) is a polite verb ending, indicating present or future tense. ⚫︎The okurigana (the hiragana following the kanji) are consistently りょくします. ⚫︎Variations in okurigana do not exist for this word.

⚫︎頑張ります (がんばります): "to do one's best," "to try hard" - This is a very common synonym. ⚫︎励みます (はげみます): "to exert oneself," "to strive" - More formal and less frequently used. ⚫︎精を出します (せいをだします): "to work diligently," "to put one's heart into" - Often used in a more formal or professional context.

There isn't a direct antonym for 努力します. It's more about the lack of effort or giving up. You could imply the opposite through related phrases, such as: ⚫︎諦めます (あきらめます): "to give up," "to abandon" (indirect antonym)

来年の試験に合格するために、努力します。 ・Translation: I will work hard to pass next year's exam. ・Explanation: This sentence expresses a commitment to studying to achieve a goal. The speaker is indicating they will put in the necessary effort to succeed.

プロジェクトを成功させるために、チーム全員で努力します。 ・Translation: We will all work hard as a team to make the project a success. ・Explanation: This sentence illustrates collaborative effort. It conveys that multiple people are committed to the same goal and are making a concerted effort.

⚫︎The word 努力 itself is a compound word derived from Chinese. ⚫︎努 (do) means "to make an effort," "to strive." ⚫︎力 (ryoku) means "strength," "power," or "effort." ⚫︎The verb form, 努力します, is created by adding the polite verb suffix ます (masu).