尽くす

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The spelling is 尽くす, read つくす, and it is a godan transitive verb for using all of one's effort or devoting oneself to someone or something.
• Basic usage: 尽くす means to do one's utmost until the end or devote sustained effort to a person, community, or cause.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Giving full effort at one event and serving over many years
  • The forms are 尽くした and 尽くす. The athletes expend all their effort through the finish, while a teacher has worked for local education over a long period.
• Athletes' final effort and a teacher's service to local education
  • 選手たちは最後まで全力を尽くした。 — The athletes did their utmost to the end.
  • 長年地域の教育に尽くす先生を皆が尊敬している。 — Everyone respects the teacher who has devoted many years to local education.