Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Toil" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "toil", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
労苦
ろうく (rōku)
N1 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
汗馬の労
汗馬のかんばのろう
C2PLUS / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "toil" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 労苦 and 汗馬の労.
In Japanese, 労苦 (ろうく (rōku)) is typically associated with "toil; hardship; labor; struggle" (Syllabus Level: N1) and represents Refers to hard work, physical or mental effort, and the associated difficulties or suffering. Often implies a long and strenuous process..
On the other hand, 汗馬の労 (汗馬のかんばのろう) maps to "the toil of a sweating horse (referring to great efforts made in service, especially in battle or for a cause)" (Syllabus Level: C2PLUS) and represents Essential structural term in CEFR C2PLUS vocabulary syllabus.. A literal translation of "toil" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "労苦"
彼の成功の裏には、多くの労苦があった。
Behind his success lay a great deal of toil and hardship.
Bilingual Context for "汗馬の労"
私は汗馬の労に興味があります。
I am interested in the toil of a sweating horse (referring to great efforts made in service, especially in battle or for a cause).
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "彼の成功の裏には、多くの ＿＿＿ があった。" (Meaning: "Behind his success lay a great deal of toil and hardship.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "労苦" fits here because it means "toil; hardship; labor; struggle" in the context of: "Behind his success lay a great deal of toil and hardship.". "汗馬の労" represents "the toil of a sweating horse (referring to great efforts made in service, especially in battle or for a cause)".