Bedeutung
It's better to find efficient ways to work than to simply put in more effort.
Kultureller Hintergrund
Deeply embedded in corporate culture and the 'hustle' mindset. Traditionally valued 'hard work' (ganbaru), but modern offices are adopting this phrase to fight burnout. Values precision and planning, making this phrase very popular in engineering contexts. Used in professional settings, though sometimes with a hint of irony.
Use it as a motto
Write this on a sticky note at your desk to remind yourself to pause and plan.
Don't be condescending
Be careful when saying this to others; it can sound like you are calling them inefficient.
Bedeutung
It's better to find efficient ways to work than to simply put in more effort.
Use it as a motto
Write this on a sticky note at your desk to remind yourself to pause and plan.
Don't be condescending
Be careful when saying this to others; it can sound like you are calling them inefficient.
Pair it with tools
Whenever you use this phrase, mention a specific tool or method you are using.
Modern usage
It is very common in tech and startup environments.
Teste dich selbst
Complete the phrase.
Work _____, not harder.
The standard idiom is 'Work smarter, not harder'.
Which sentence uses the phrase correctly?
Choose the best option.
The comparative form 'smarter' is the correct idiomatic choice.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'I'm exhausted from doing this manually.' B: 'You should ____.'
The phrase is the perfect advice for someone who is exhausted from manual work.
Match the situation to the phrase.
You see a colleague struggling with a complex task. What do you say?
This is the most helpful and idiomatic advice for the situation.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenWork _____, not harder.
The standard idiom is 'Work smarter, not harder'.
Choose the best option.
The comparative form 'smarter' is the correct idiomatic choice.
A: 'I'm exhausted from doing this manually.' B: 'You should ____.'
The phrase is the perfect advice for someone who is exhausted from manual work.
You see a colleague struggling with a complex task. What do you say?
This is the most helpful and idiomatic advice for the situation.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
12 FragenYes, it can be. It's better to say, 'I've found a more efficient way to handle this.'
Only if you are writing about productivity or business management.
In English, one-syllable adjectives usually take the -er suffix.
No, it means you should get more done with the same amount of effort.
Yes, 'Trabajar con inteligencia, no con fuerza'.
Work SMAR-ter, not HAR-der.
It is neutral and widely accepted in professional settings.
Yes, if there is a tool or technique that makes the task easier.
Explain that you are focusing on high-impact results.
It is considered a modern proverb or a business aphorism.
Yes, it's very common in casual advice.
Only if used to dismiss someone's hard work.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Work-life balance
similarMaintaining a healthy split between work and personal time.
The 80/20 rule
builds on80% of results come from 20% of effort.
Burn the candle at both ends
contrastWorking too hard and exhausting oneself.
Grind culture
contrastThe belief that constant work is the only way to succeed.
