This site will be taken down March 31st, 2026.

This was not an easy decision to make. For the last couple years, I have been struggling to find motivation for this site and to keep up with basic maintenance and security updates. With the rise of AI and more sophisticated tools, the usefulness of sites like this is questionable and traffic has nose-dived. I just don't have it in me to keep doing this. Thank you all for 10 years of support!

Zach

一所懸命

Reading

Kana: いっしょけんめい
Romaji: isshokenmei
Kana
Romaji

Definitions

1

very hard; with utmost effort; with all one's might; desperately; frantically; for dear life; all-out effort; sticking at living in and defending one place

Note: yojijukugo
See also: 一生懸命
2

sticking at living in one place

Kanji

Readings: イチ、 イツ、 ひと-、 ひと.つ
Meanings: one, one radical (no.1)
Readings: ショ、 ところ、 -ところ、 どころ、 とこ
Meaning: place
Readings: ケン、 ケ、 か.ける、 か.かる
Meanings: state of suspension, hang, depend, consult, distant, far apart
Readings: メイ、 ミョウ、 いのち
Meanings: fate, command, decree, destiny, life, appoint

Example Sentences

一所懸命(いっしょけんめい)(はたら)いて(かれ)成功(せいこう)した。
➥Hard work has brought him success.
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(かれ)一所懸命(いっしょけんめい)勉強(べんきょう)した、そうでなかったら、試験(しけん)()ちていただろう。
➥He worked hard; otherwise he would have failed in the examination.
Full Entry➤
あなたは一所懸命(いっしょけんめい)勉強(べんきょう)しさえすればよい、そうすれば試験(しけん)合格(ごうかく)するだろう。
➥You have only to study hard, and you will pass the test.
Full Entry➤
一所懸命(いっしょけんめい)になって(かれ)はその()(のぼ)った。
➥With great effort he climbed up the tree.
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(きみ)一所懸命(いっしょけんめい)勉強(べんきょう)しさえすればよい、そうすれば試験(しけん)合格(ごうかく)するでしょう。
➥You have only to study hard, and you will pass the test.
Full Entry➤
もし(かれ)がもっと一所懸命(いっしょけんめい)(はたら)いていたならば、(かれ)(いま)では金持(かねも)ちかもしれないのだが。
➥If he had worked harder, he might be a rich man now.
Full Entry➤
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