How to say "earnest" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 懸命けんめいna-adjective, nounEarnest as wholehearted, strenuous effort: it describes someone eagerly striving and trying their hardest, pouring energy into work, study, or whatever they have taken on.
- 真面目まじめna-adjective, nounEarnest as a settled trait of character: a serious, sober person who does not fool around, approaches work and study in earnest, and is grave about their responsibilities.
- 真剣しんけんna-adjectiveEarnest in the sense of being in earnest about something: a grave, wholehearted, no-nonsense attitude, the opposite of joking or treating the matter half-heartedly.
- 切実せつじつna-adjective, nounEarnest as felt emotion rather than behavior: it describes wishes, hopes, or pleas that are keenly, acutely felt — earnest in the sense of heartfelt and pressing.
- 切せつna-adjective, nounA marginal choice for 'earnest': it points to ardent, eager intensity of feeling, but it is seldom the word you actually want when saying 'earnest' — one of the others will serve better.
Choose 懸命 for earnest effort, 真面目 for an earnest character, 真剣 for an earnest, wholehearted attitude toward the matter at hand, 切実 for keenly felt earnest wishes, and treat 切 as a marginal, ardent alternative.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
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