懸命(けんめい)

けんめい
na-adjective
strenuous, desperate, eager
1. desperate, strenuous, with all one's might
Putting maximum effort into something; trying one's hardest.
懸命(けんめい)に働(はたら)いて家族(かぞく)を養(やしな)っている。
I work hard to support my family.
彼(かれ)は一生(いっしょう)懸命(けんめい)勉強(べんきょう)した。
He studied with all his might.
懸命(けんめい)な努力(どりょく)が実(みの)った。
The strenuous efforts paid off.

懸命(けんめい) means putting all one's effort into something.

Key expression:

  • 一生(いっしょう)懸命(けんめい) (with all one's might, desperately)
  • Very common set phrase
  • Originally 一所(いっしょ)懸命(けんめい) (staking one's life on one place/position)

Common collocations:

  • 懸命(けんめい)に働(はたら)く (to work desperately hard)
  • 懸命(けんめい)な努力(どりょく) (strenuous efforts)
  • 懸命(けんめい)に訴(うった)える (to appeal desperately)

Related terms:

  • 必死(ひっし) (desperate, frantic)
  • 全力(ぜんりょく) (full power, with all one's strength)
  • 熱心(ねっしん) (eager, enthusiastic)
core
Added 2026.1.13 21:17 · Revised 2026.2.4 11:14
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