diligence, become employed, serve
勤 centers on sustained effort and commitment: working diligently, being employed, or serving in a role. The idea of becoming employed is a natural application of applying oneself steadily.
勤 combines 堇 (historically associated with clay or hardship) and 力 (strength/effort), suggesting putting effort into difficult work. The exact historical development of 堇 is uncertain, but the overall idea of diligent effort is clear.
The left side 堇 looks like a person working hard in a field, and the right side 力 is strength. Picture someone putting all their strength into diligent work, day after day.
For キン, imagine a diligent worker who is keen to serve: keen -> キン, and their keen attitude shows in their steady effort.
service; duty; work
commuting to work
going to work; leaving for work; attendance (at work); being at work; presence (in the office); reporting for work
service; duty; business; responsibility; task
to work (for); to be employed (at); to serve (in)
night duty; night shift; night work
job transfer; job relocation; intra-company transfer
part-time work
labor; labour; exertion; diligent service
diligent; hard-working; industrious
to work hard at; to devote oneself to; to be diligent in
full-time employment
place of work
absence (from work)
continuous service
perfect attendance
day shift; day duty; day work
daimyo's alternating Edo residence; official attendance service (by a daimyo in the Edo period)
leaving work; clocking out
office work; desk work; indoor work