How to Say ‘You're making an effort.’ in Japanese
努力していて
doryoku shi te i te
[doh-ryoh-koo shee teh ee teh]
💬 Usage Tip: [努力していて] is the te-form of [努力している]. It often leads into a comment like [いいですね] or [素晴らしいですね].
🇯🇵 In Japan: In real conversation, te-form can feel like a “bridge” inviting agreement or praise—common in supportive interview small talk.
Phrase Breakdown
努力
doryoku
[doh-ryoh-koo]
effort; hard work
The noun meaning 'effort.' In 努力していて, it becomes a verb phrase 'making an effort' (努力する).
弱みを改善するために努力しています。
I am making an effort to improve my weaknesses.
して
shi te
doing
Te-form of する, used to connect to another phrase or make ～している.
毎日運動して、元気です。
I exercise every day, so I’m well.
Words in this phrase
し
shi
[shee]
do (stem of する)
Used here to form 努力して… ('making an effort and…').
毎日学習をし、振り返ります。
I study every day and reflect.
て
te
[teh]
te-form connector (て) (as in ていて)
The final て in ていて often connects to what follows (…ていて、〜).
努力していて、自信がつきました。
By making an effort, I gained confidence.
いて
i te
being / continuing to (te-form of いる)
Part of ～していて, which links to what happens next: “(I’m) making an effort, and…”
今、探していて、まだ見つかりません。
I’m looking (for it) now, but I still can’t find it.
Words in this phrase
い
i
[ee]
to be; to exist (stem of いる)
Part of ている/ていて. ていて can also set up the next clause ('and because I am doing...').
今、新しい伝え方を試しているところです。
Right now, I’m trying a new way of explaining things.
て
te
[teh]
te-form connector (て) (as in ていて)
The final て in ていて often connects to what follows (…ていて、〜).
努力していて、自信がつきました。
By making an effort, I gained confidence.
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