(りきさく)

りきさく
noun
masterpiece; painstaking work
1. masterpiece; painstaking work; ambitious work
A work into which great effort, time, and skill have been poured. Used for art, literature, film, academic papers, and other creative or intellectual endeavors.
これは(かれ)力作(りきさく)だ。
This is his masterpiece.
(さん)(ねん)かけて完成(かんせい)させた力作(りきさく)だ。
It's a painstaking work that took three years to complete.
今回(こんかい)映画祭(えいがさい)には世界中(せかいじゅう)から力作(りきさく)(あつ)まった。
Ambitious works from around the world gathered at this film festival.

力作(りきさく) refers to a work into which great effort and dedication have been poured. It is always complimentary.

WORD FORMATION:
(りき) (effort, power) + (さく) (work, creation). Emphasizes the effort invested, not necessarily the artistic quality of the result.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 渾身(こんしん)力作(りきさく): a work of one's whole heart and soul
  • 力作(りきさく)ぞろい: a lineup of masterpieces
  • (だい)力作(りきさく): a great ambitious work
  • 力作(りきさく)発表(はっぴょう)する: to present a major work

USAGE:
Applied to art, literature, film, music, academic papers, and even ambitious cooking or craft projects. Often used in reviews, praise, and introductions of creative works.

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 傑作(けっさく): masterpiece (emphasizes quality/brilliance)
  • 名作(めいさく): masterpiece, classic (emphasizes lasting reputation)
  • 力作(りきさく): painstaking work (emphasizes effort invested)