せっせとsesseto

1. adverbdiligently; assiduously; industriously; beavering away
   彼女かのじょはせっせと編み物あみものに精せいを出だしていた。↗

   She was busy with her knitting.

• Synonym努めてつとめてNeutralDeliberately making an effort, as in 「努めて明るく振る舞う」; the point is conscious, intentional effort, while 「せっせと」 pictures working away without a break.
• RelatedあくせくNeutralBusy scurrying about, often to make a living, as in 「あくせく働く」; it often carries a negative nuance of being harried, unlike 「せっせと」's steady diligence.
• Antonym怠けてNeutralMeans being idle or shirking work — the opposite of 「せっせと」's diligent, unbroken effort.

Use 「せっせと」 for working steadily without a break, as in 「せっせと貯金する」. Choose 「努めて」 for deliberate effort, 「あくせく」 for busy, harried work with a negative shade; 「怠ける」 is the opposite, meaning to laze.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. 物事ものごとを休やすまず熱心ねっしんに行おこなうさま。