コツコツ

• 読み: コツコツ
• ローマ字: kotsukotsu
• 発音: /ko.tsɯ.ko.tsɯ/

意味

Steadily; diligently; persistently. Describes working hard in a patient, unflagging manner.

A mimetic adverb with two meanings: (1) the manner of working steadily and patiently over time, as in コツコツ努力する (to make steady effort), and (2) the sound of tapping or knocking, as in コツコツと歩く (to walk with a tap-tap sound). The first meaning is far more common in daily conversation. Often used to describe admirable dedication to work, study, or savings. Can be written in katakana or hiragana (こつこつ).

例文

1. コツコツ勉強を続けた結果、合格できた。
2. 毎月コツコツ貯金している。
3. 彼女はコツコツと地道な努力を重ねてきた。

使い方ガイド

場面: work, study, self-improvement, savings

トーン: admiring

起源と歴史

A Japanese onomatopoeia (擬音語) originally imitating the sound of tapping or knocking. The metaphorical extension to 'steady, persistent effort' evokes the image of chipping away at something one small tap at a time.

文化的背景

時代: Modern

世代: All ages

社会的背景: Universal