Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Effort" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "effort", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
尽力
じんりょく (jinryoku)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
せっかく
せっかく (sekkaku)
B2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "effort" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 尽力 and せっかく.
In Japanese, 尽力 (じんりょく (jinryoku)) is typically associated with "effort, exertion, endeavor (often for someone else's benefit or a common goal)" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents ある目的のために、全力を尽くして努力すること。特に、他者のためや共通の目標のために努力する際に用いられる。.
On the other hand, せっかく (せっかく (sekkaku)) maps to "with effort, specially" (Syllabus Level: B2) and represents Essential structural term in CEFR B2 vocabulary syllabus.. A literal translation of "effort" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "尽力"
皆様の多大なるご尽力に感謝申し上げます。
Thank you for your great efforts.
Bilingual Context for "せっかく"
私はせっかくに興味があります。
I am interested in with effort, specially.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "皆様の多大なるご ＿＿＿ に感謝申し上げます。" (Meaning: "Thank you for your great efforts.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "尽力" fits here because it means "effort, exertion, endeavor (often for someone else's benefit or a common goal)" in the context of: "Thank you for your great efforts.". "せっかく" represents "with effort, specially".