noun
Refers to working or labor as an activity, often in expressions such as 働きに出る.
母は毎朝、働きに出る。
My mother goes out to work every morning.
noun
Used for how well someone does in a role or situation: their performance, contribution, or demonstrated ability.
彼の働きで、チームは決勝に進んだ。
Thanks to his contribution, the team advanced to the final.
新人とは思えない働きを見せた。
She performed so well that you would not think she was a newcomer.
noun
Less common in modern everyday speech than 稼ぎ or 収入; often understood as the money one earns through work.
昔は働きが少なく、家計はいつも苦しかった。
In those days, earnings were low, and the household budget was always tight.
noun
function; working; action; operation
Describes what a body part, device, substance, part, or system does: its function, action, or way of operating.
この薬の働きで痛みが和らいだ。
The action of this medicine eased the pain.
この部品は安全装置の働きをしている。
This part functions as a safety device.
noun
Specialized linguistics or grammar terminology for word-form change; this sense may also be written as 活.
古い文法書では、「働き」を活用・語形変化の意味で用いることがある。
In older grammar books, 働き may be used to mean conjugation or inflection.