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.
地道な努力が大切だ。
Steady effort is important.
彼女は地道に研究を続けている。
She has been continuing her research steadily.
派手な方法より、地道な積み重ねが結果につながる。
Rather than flashy methods, steady accumulation of effort leads to results.
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.