Issho Kenmei / Isshō Kenmei (一所懸命と一生懸命 - With All One's Might)

Nov 30, 2023 19:01
Issho Kenmei / Isshō Kenmei

The four-character idioms 'issho kenmei' (一所懸命) and 'isshō kenmei' (一生懸命) are both used to describe engaging in something seriously with all one's might.

Since 'i/ichi' (一) means "one," 'sho' (所) means "place," and 'kenmei' (懸命) means "with all one's might," the literal meaning of 'issho kenmei' is "with all one's might in one place."

This idiom was derived from the fact that samurai defended a single territory with their lives.

Later, 'shō' (生 - meaning "life") came to be used instead of 'sho', leading to the idiom 'isshō kenmei'.

In recent years, the term 'issho' (一生 - meaning "a lifetime") is more familiar than 'issho' (一所 - meaning "one place" ), so 'isshō kenmei' is used more often than 'issho kenmei'.
一所懸命と一生懸命

物事に対して真剣に取り組むことを、「一所懸命」や「一生懸命」と言います。

「一」は "one"、「所」は ""、「懸命」は "" を意味するので、「一所懸命」の文字どおりの意味は "" となります。

もともとは武士が、一か所の領土を命がけで守ったことが、この四字熟語の由来であるようです。

その後、「所」の代わりに "life" を意味する「生」を使い、「一生懸命」とも言われるようになりました。

「一所」よりも "lifetime" を意味する「一生」のほうが馴染みのある単語であるため、最近は「一生懸命」が使われることが多くなってきているようです。
No. 1 O-Star
  • Issho Kenmei / Isshō Kenmei (一所懸命と一生懸命 - With All One's Might)
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • Issho Kenmei / Isshō Kenmei
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • The four-character idioms 'issho kenmei' (一所懸命) and 'isshō kenmei' (一生懸命) are both used to describe engaging in something seriously with all one's might.
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • Since 'i/ichi' (一) means "one," 'sho' (所) means "place," and 'kenmei' (懸命) means "with all one's might," the literal meaning of 'issho kenmei' is "with all one's might in one place."
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • This idiom was derived from the fact that samurai defended a single territory with their lives.
  • This idiom was derived from the fact that samurai risked their lives to defend a single territory.
  • Later, 'shō' (生 - meaning "life") came to be used instead of 'sho', leading to the idiom 'isshō kenmei'.
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • In recent years, the term 'issho' (一生 - meaning "a lifetime") is more familiar than 'issho' (一所 - meaning "one place" ), so 'isshō kenmei' is used more often than 'issho kenmei'.
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
Toru
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