Quadruple VS
Synonym Boundary: "努力", "尽力", "取り組み", "せっかく"
All represent the core concept "effort", but require precise selection.
Japanese Option A
努力
どりょく (doryoku)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option B
尽力
じんりょく (jinryoku)
N2 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
取り組み
とりくみ (torikumi)
N2 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
せっかく
せっかく (sekkaku)
B2 / CEFR
Quadruple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "effort" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "努力", "尽力", "取り組み", "せっかく" based on context.
- 努力 (どりょく (doryoku) - Level: N4): Maps to "effort; exertion" and is used when Refers to hard work or earnest endeavor towards a goal. Often used with する.
- 尽力 (じんりょく (jinryoku) - Level: N2): Maps to "effort, exertion, endeavor (often for someone else's benefit or a common goal)" and is used when 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。.
- 取り組み (とりくみ (torikumi) - Level: N2): Maps to "effort, initiative, approach, measure" and is used when Refers to the actions or efforts taken to deal with a problem, implement a plan, or achieve a goal. Often used in formal or business contexts. Can be a noun or the stem of a verb.
- せっかく (せっかく (sekkaku) - Level: B2): Maps to "with effort, specially" and is used when Essential structural term in CEFR B2 vocabulary syllabus..
Context for "努力"
彼の成功は日々の努力の結果です。
His success is the result of daily effort.
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.
Context for "取り組み"
環境問題への企業の取り組みが注目されている。
Companies' initiatives regarding environmental issues are drawing attention.
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.
Synonym Mastery Challenge
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "彼の成功は日々の ＿＿＿ の結果です。" (Meaning: "His success is the result of daily effort.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "努力" is correct here because it represents "effort; exertion" in the context: "His success is the result of daily effort.".