Usage patterns 勤つと めに 出で る to go out to work
My father goes to work at eight every morning.
お 勤つと めをする to perform a Buddhist religious service
The monk performed a religious service in front of the Buddhist altar.
勤つと めを 果は たす to fulfill one's duties (at work)
He has fulfilled his duties at the company for many years.
Kanji 勤 diligence, become employed, serve Related words 仕事 is the general word for work or a job, while 勤め specifically emphasizes being employed by and serving an employer.
勤務 is a more formal, official term often used in phrases like 勤務時間 (working hours), while 勤め is the everyday noun for one's employment.
勤め refers to one's job or employment in general, whereas 詰め as a suffix specifically marks being stationed at a particular post or location.
勤め is the everyday word for having a regular job, whereas 奉公 implies living in one's employer's household or a selfless dedication to duty.
Word family· 16 work for; be employed at; serve in · serve as; act as; fill the role of · conduct a religious service
place of work; workplace
office worker; salaried worker; white-collar worker
one's work; one's duties; one's business · sutra reading before a Buddha statue; Buddhist service · bargain; discount · payment to a prostitute or geisha
position; place of employment
Show 8 more Show fewer mercenary spirit; working only for money
working as a lady's maid; service in the inner chambers
working for a company; company employment
work diligently; labor earnestly
one's business; one's duties
apprenticeship; live-in service
on the way home from work
diligence in one's work; work attitude; conduct on the job
See all 16 in Explore →
Written forms 勤つと め Usage 57%
Standard kanji for work, duty, and employment-related meanings.
務つと め Usage 29%
Often used for duty, role, or responsibility, especially in formal or abstract contexts.
つとめ Usage 14%
Etymology The nominalized form of the verb 勤める /務める (to serve, to work for). The kanji 勤 carries connotations of diligence and service, while 務 relates to duty and tasks.
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