Japanese meaning of 刻苦勉励
Reading:
こっくべんれい (kokku benrei)
English Translation:
Working diligently with hardship
Meaning & Cultural Context
Meaning:
Working diligently through hardship
Cultural Context:
Appears in award speeches, autobiographies, and education mottos.
苦労を重ねて努力すること。
表彰式・自伝・教育スローガンに登場する。
Grammar & Learning Points
Grammar Point
• Noun phrase for diligent effort; often with “の末.”
Trap for English Speakers
May be misunderstood as constant suffering without reward.
Example
Basic Example
彼は刻苦勉励して技術を身につけた。
He acquired his skills by working diligently through hardship.
Applied Example
彼は毎日夜遅くまで研究室に残り、まさに刻苦勉励の姿勢で新しい薬の開発に挑んでいる。
He stays in the lab late every night, embodying Working diligently with hardship as he strives to develop a new medicine.