godan verb (-ku), intransitive verb
The basic everyday sense: to work at a job, workplace, task, or labor. Usually intransitive, often with で for the workplace.
父は銀行で働いている。
My father works at a bank.
今日は朝から晩まで働いた。
I worked from morning until night today.
godan verb (-ku), intransitive verb
function; operate; be effective; come into play
Used when a device, system, power, rule, influence, or mechanism works as intended or has an effect.
この安全装置は正常に働いている。
This safety device is functioning normally.
この場合、強い重力が働く。
In this case, a strong gravitational force comes into play.
godan verb (-ku), intransitive verb
commit; perpetrate; do wrong
Common in negative set phrases such as 悪事を働く, 不正を働く, and 盗みを働く. Although The verb intransitive, this usage commonly appears has を before the wrongdoing.
彼は会社で不正を働いた。
He committed wrongdoing at the company.
その男は何度も盗みを働いた。
The man committed theft again and again.
godan verb (-ku), intransitive verb
be conjugated
Technical linguistic use, especially in grammar descriptions; 働く means that a word conjugates or functions according to a particular conjugation pattern.
文法書では、この語は四段に働くと説明される。
In grammar books, this word is explained as conjugating as a yodan verb.