Word Detail

一生懸命 means to do something with all one's might, with utmost effort, or with all one's heart. It conveys a sense of seriousness, dedication, and putting in one's best. It implies a strong commitment to a task or goal and a willingness to work hard to achieve it. It can also describe a state of being earnest or zealous. The core meaning focuses on the intensity of effort and the sincerity of the intention.

⚫︎一生懸命勉強しました。 Translation: I studied very hard. ⚫︎一生懸命頑張ってください！ Translation: Please do your best! / Do your utmost! ⚫︎彼女は一生懸命働いています。 Translation: She is working very hard.

⚫︎You can use 一生懸命 in various situations to describe someone's effort or your own effort. ⚫︎It's common to use it when talking about studying, working, sports, hobbies, or any activity that requires effort and dedication. ⚫︎You can also use it to encourage someone or express admiration for their hard work. ⚫︎Consider the context and relationship to choose the appropriate level of formality.

⚫︎一生懸命 is typically written in kanji and hiragana. ⚫︎一生 means "one's whole life" or "throughout life." ⚫︎懸命 means "earnestness," "diligence," or "zeal." ⚫︎The word is generally written as 一生懸命. ⚫︎There is generally no variation in okurigana. ⚫︎The adjectival form is 一生懸命な. ⚫︎The adverbial form is 一生懸命 or 一生懸命に.

⚫︎真剣 (shinken): serious, earnest ⚫︎熱心 (nesshin): enthusiastic, zealous ⚫︎懸命 (kenmei): diligent, earnest ⚫︎精一杯 (seiippai): with all one's might ⚫︎懸命に (kenmei ni): diligently ⚫︎真面目 (majime): serious, honest, diligent ⚫︎頑張る (ganbaru): to do one's best; to try hard ⚫︎全力で (zenryoku de): with all one's power ⚫︎一生懸命に (isshoukenmei ni): with all one's might

⚫︎いい加減 (iikagen): half-hearted, irresponsible ⚫︎不真面目 (fumajime): not serious, frivolous ⚫︎怠ける (namakeru): to be lazy ⚫︎手抜きをする (tenuki wo suru): to cut corners ⚫︎適当 (tekitou): casual; perfunctory ⚫︎無気力 (mukiryoku): apathetic, lacking energy

試験に合格するために、一生懸命］勉強しました。 ・Translation: I studied very hard to pass the exam. ・Explanation: This sentence illustrates the effort put forth to achieve a goal (passing an exam).

彼は一生懸命］練習して、大会で優勝しました。 ・Translation: He practiced very hard and won the championship at the tournament. ・Explanation: This example shows the direct result of putting in a great amount of effort; the accomplishment.

The word 一生懸命 is composed of three parts. ⚫︎一生 (isshou) literally means "one's whole life" or "throughout life". ⚫︎懸命 (kenmei) means "earnestness," "diligence," or "zeal". ⚫︎一生懸命 combines these two concepts to express the idea of dedicating one's entire life/being to a task or goal with utmost effort and sincerity. It emphasizes the earnestness and diligence that are committed.