What does it mean word for word?
The adverbial phrase 一生懸命 (isshoukenmei) literally means "with one's whole life's effort" or "with all one's might".
Which one should you use?
While 一生懸命勉強します focuses on effort and might, other ways to express studying hard include 熱心に勉強します, which means "I will study diligently" and 勉学に励みます, which means "I will devote myself to academic pursuits". In informal settings, you might use しっかり勉強する to mean "to study diligently" or the highly informal メチャ頑張る to mean "I will work extremely hard!"
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form 一生懸命勉強します uses the polite shimasu ending, making it suitable for speaking to teachers, superiors or people you do not know well. For a colloquial tone, one might use the term ガンバる to mean "to give one's best".
How do you pronounce it?
isshoukenmei benkyou shimasu
Did you know?
- The phrase 一生懸命 originally comes from the word 一所懸命, which meant risking one's life to protect a single piece of land. This referred to the desperate struggle of samurai families to maintain their land holdings during the feudal era.
- The word 勉強 (benkyou) for 'study' is rooted in the idea of 'forcing' or 'compelling' oneself. This suggests that learning is historically viewed as a rigorous struggle against one's own reluctance.
- In Japanese culture, saying 一生懸命勉強します is often more about demonstrating a sincere attitude and spirit of effort than guaranteeing a specific grade or result.
Examples in context
- メチャ頑張る！I will work extremely hard!
- 明日から一生懸命勉強します。Ashita kara isshokenmei benkyō shimasu.I will study hard starting tomorrow.
- 合格するために、一生懸命勉強します。Gōkaku suru tame ni, isshokenmei benkyō shimasu.I will study hard to pass the exam.
- 将来のために一生懸命勉強します。Shōrai no tame ni isshokenmei benkyō shimasu.I will study hard for my future.
Example conversation
Hiyori and Hiroto are talking about their upcoming exams.
- 陽葵 Himari大翔くん、勉強は順調？Hiroto-kun, benkyō wa junchō?Hiroto, is your studying going well?
- 大翔 Hiroto全然ダメだよ。でも、これから一生懸命勉強します。Zenzen dame da yo. Demo, kore kara isshōkenmei benkyō shimasu.Not at all. But, I will study hard from now on.
- 陽葵 Himari頑張ってね！一緒にやろう。Ganbatte ne! Issho ni yarō.Good luck! Let's do it together.
- 大翔 Hirotoありがとう、陽葵さん。Arigatō, Hiyori-san.Thank you, Hiyori.
