engineering; engineering works
Refers to the practical application of engineering, especially in construction, manufacturing, or public works. Often used in compound terms like 工務店 (construction company) or 工務部 (engineering department).
彼は市の工務課で働いている。
He works in the city's engineering division.
This construction company has a good reputation locally.
土木 specifically means civil engineering, whereas 工務 is broader and can cover mechanical, electrical, or general engineering works.
公務 (also read こうむ) means official public duty or business, while 工務 refers to engineering or construction work — they are unrelated in meaning despite sharing the same pronunciation.
building contractor; construction company
Compound of 工 (こう, 'work, craft, construction') and 務 (む, 'duty, task, affairs'). The combination refers to engineering-related duties or works.