Expressing "don't work too hard"

Question

I've read at other sites that "don't work too hard" isn't something that's generally said in Japanese. Is there any truth to this?

Are there any alternatives if that is the case? In which circumstances would 無理（を）しないで（ください） and 働きすぎない（で／ように） be appropriate?

Answer 1

Not really used, not because the language does not allow, but because of the mentality.

無理しないで(ください)ね can fit most of the situations. Just meaning "Don't push yourself too much" 働きすぎないで／ように can be used as well. Nobody will correct you on this one.

An other way would be something like (and this case, 'work' is for a job only, not weight training or physical things) 働き過ぎには気をつけて（ください）ね that literally means: be careful not to work too hard.

Answer 2

I can't add much to the way to translate it as explained by chocolate and oldergod, but I can confirm that no, it's generally not said. Personally, I still don't understand it myself, but the psychological significance of work over here is incredible. It becomes much more a part of your average Japanese (males, especially) identity than it does for Westerners. It becomes a core source of self-esteem, much in the same way that friends and family do for us. Telling somebody not to work too hard in Japan is, in a way, like cautioning you not to love your family too much. There perhaps exists in the individual consciousness the concept that there is such a thing as too much work, but it has no immediacy. Much in the same way that you and I know that hijackings and cancer exist, but give little thought to them until they strike close to home.

Answer 3

I agree with the other answers that you won't find a Japanese person say this with the same nuance as English speakers, but I was watching TV with Japanese subtitles "Don't work too hard" was translated as 頑張りすぎるなよ。

The man who said it is romantically involved with the person said to in the show. If you were to say it to coworkers I'd go with a more polite like 頑張りすぎないで。