努力する

• Reading: どりょくする
• Romaji: doryoku suru
• Kanji breakdown: 努 (do/tsuto) — strive, endeavour, exert; 力 (ryoku/chikara) — power, strength
• Pronunciation: /do.ɾʲo.kɯ.sɯ.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To make an effort; to try hard; to strive. Putting sustained effort toward achieving a goal.

A Group 3 (irregular) する verb formed from the noun 努力 (effort). Can function as a noun (努力が必要 = effort is needed) or verb (努力する = to make an effort). Effort and perseverance are deeply valued in Japanese culture, making this word very common in encouragement and self-improvement contexts.

Examples

1. 目標を達成するために努力しています。 I'm making an effort to achieve my goal.
2. 毎日コツコツ努力することが大切です。 It's important to put in steady effort every day.
3. 彼女は日本語が上手になるために努力した。 She worked hard to get better at Japanese.

Usage Guide

Context: work, study, self-improvement

Tone: positive

Origin & History

Compound of 努 (do/tsuto) meaning strive and exert, and 力 (ryoku/chikara) meaning power and strength. Together they mean exerting one's power — making a concerted effort.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal