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?
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2012-01-18T06:01:45.350
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2012-01-18T06:51:13.070
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word-choice culture phrase-requests
Expressing "don't work too hard"
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.
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2012-01-18T07:09:07.673
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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.
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2012-01-18T08:37:06.343
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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。
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