1.
steady; honest; down-to-earth; painstaking
Describes a way of doing things that is methodical, unpretentious, and involves sustained effort rather than shortcuts or flashy methods.
Usage
地道 is almost always used approvingly. It praises the kind of quiet, unglamorous work that produces reliable results over time.
Common collocations
- 地道な努力 (steady effort)
- 地道な作業 (painstaking work)
- 地道に続ける (to keep at it steadily)
- 地道に働く (to work honestly and steadily)
Similar words
地味 means "plain" or "understated" and focuses on appearance, while 地道 focuses on behavior and emphasizes diligent, methodical effort.