1.
to devote oneself to, to work hard at, to strive
To apply oneself diligently to a task or pursuit. Takes に to mark the activity one is devoted to.
勉強に励む。
To devote oneself to studying.
彼女は毎日練習に励んでいる。
She works hard at practice every day.
選手たちは優勝を目指して日々トレーニングに励んでいる。
The athletes work hard at training every day, aiming for the championship.
Godan verb (む row: 励む → 励まない → 励んで). Takes the pattern ～に励む (to devote oneself to ~). The activity one works on is marked with に.
Not to be confused with the transitive form 励ます (to encourage someone).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 勉強に励む — to devote oneself to study
- 仕事に励む — to work hard at one's job
- 練習に励む — to work hard at practice
- 研究に励む — to devote oneself to research