Meaning
The kanji 務 (ム, つと.める) expresses core ideas like 'duty,' 'task,' 'work,' or 'service.' It implies an obligation or a responsibility that one is expected to fulfill. You'll frequently encounter this kanji in discussions about employment, public service, and personal obligations, highlighting the cultural importance of responsibility and diligence. When you see 務, think of an assigned role, a mission, or the work one is committed to doing.
Understanding its origin, like that of many kanji, can illuminate its meaning. 務 is a semantic-phonetic compound. The left component, 矛 (ほこ, hoko), represents a 'spear' or 'lance.' While primarily a phonetic element, it also hints at a 'pointed direction' or 'focus.' The right component, 力 (ちから, chikara), directly means 'power' or 'strength.' Together, these elements evoke the image of exerting one's full strength and effort. It's like focusing a spear towards a specific task or duty, suggesting dedicated exertion to carry out a particular function or responsibility.
The visual connection is quite strong: to fulfill a duty (務) requires strength (力) and focused determination, like aiming a spear (矛) at a target. It's not just about doing something, but doing it with resolve and capability. This kanji has 11 strokes. It's taught in the 6th grade of Japanese elementary schools, aligning with the N3 level of the JLPT. This indicates its intermediate frequency and significance in daily Japanese vocabulary.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The primary on'yomi for 務 is ム (mu). This reading is very common, almost exclusively appearing in compound words. You'll find it particularly in formal or abstract contexts related to duties, tasks, and responsibilities. It reflects the Chinese pronunciation from which the kanji was adopted.
ム (mu)
義務 (gimu) — meaning: duty; obligation. This refers to something one is morally or legally obliged to do.
Example: 納税は国民の義務です。(Paying taxes is a citizen's duty.)
- 任務 (ninmu) — meaning: task; mission; assignment. This denotes a specific job or role assigned to someone.
Example: 彼は重要な任務を与えられた。(He was given an important mission.)
- 事務 (jimu) — meaning: office work; business; clerical work. This refers to administrative tasks typically performed in an office.
Example: 私は事務の仕事をしています。(I do office work.)
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The kun'yomi readings for 務 connect it to native Japanese verbs, conveying the sense of fulfilling a duty or serving a role. These readings are typically used when the kanji appears alone or with okurigana (送り仮名).
つと.める (tsuto.meru) — meaning: to serve; to work for; to fulfill a duty or role. This is a transitive verb. While 勤 (つとめる) often means 'to work for (a company)' and 努 (つとめる) means 'to endeavor,' 務める specifically emphasizes fulfilling a duty, role, or position. It implies serving in a particular capacity.
務める (tsutomeru) — meaning: to serve (in a role/duty); to act as.
Example: 彼女は社長秘書を務めている。(She is serving as the president's secretary.)
- 重役を務める (jūyaku wo tsutomeru) — meaning: to serve as an executive.
Example: 彼は長年会社の重役を務めた。(He served as an executive for the company for many years.)
つと.まる (tsuto.maru) — meaning: to be fit for; to be capable of serving as. This is an intransitive verb, indicating suitability for a particular role or duty.
務まる (tsutomaru) — meaning: to be fit for (a role/duty).
Example: 彼にその大役が務まるだろうか。(Will he be fit for that important role?)
- 教師が務まる (kyōshi ga tsutomaru) — meaning: to be capable of being a teacher.
Example: 彼女には厳しい先生が務まるだろう。(She would be capable of being a strict teacher.)
Common Words & Compounds
The kanji 務 forms a wide array of important compound words, especially those related to work, responsibility, and public service. Understanding these compounds is essential for grasping its full usage.
Work & Office Duties:
事務 (jimu) — office work, clerical work.
勤務 (kinmu) — service, work (at a company/post).
職務 (shokumu) — professional duty, duties of a post.
総務 (sōmu) — general affairs (department), general manager.
労務 (rōmu) — labor, labor service.
業務 (gyōmu) — business, duties, operations.
雑務 (zatsumu) — miscellaneous duties, odd jobs.
Obligation & Responsibility:
義務 (gimu) — duty, obligation, responsibility.
債務 (saimu) — debt, liabilities (financial obligations).
Public & Official Roles:
任務 (ninmu) — task, mission, assignment.
公務 (kōmu) — public duty, public service.
外務 (gaimu) — foreign affairs.
専務 (senmu) — senior managing director (of a company).
常務 (jōmu) — managing director (of a company).
主務 (shumu) — charge, duty, responsibility (esp. of a government minister).
Effort & Diligence:
服務 (fukumu) — service, attendance, disciplinary regulations.
Example Sentences
彼は事務の仕事をしています。
Kare wa jimu no shigoto o shiteimasu.
He does office work.
この任務は非常に重要です。
Kono ninmu wa hijō ni jūyō desu.
This mission is extremely important.
学生には勉強する義務があります。
Gakusei ni wa benkyō suru gimu ga arimasu.
Students have a duty to study.
彼女は会社の総務として務めています。
Kanojo wa kaisha no sōmu to shite tsutometeimasu.
She serves as the general affairs manager of the company.
公務員は国民のために務めるべきです。
Kōmuin wa kokumin no tame ni tsutomerubeki desu.
Public servants should work for the citizens.
彼は毎日、職務に励んでいます。
Kare wa mainichi, shokumu ni hagekondeimasu.
He strives in his professional duties every day.
困難な状況でも、彼は与えられた務めを立派に果たしました。
Kon'nan na jōkyō demo, kare wa ataerareta tsutome o rippa ni hatashimashita.
Even in difficult situations, he admirably fulfilled his assigned duties.
彼にその難しい役割が務まるかどうか心配です。
Kare ni sono muzukashii yakuwari ga tsutomaru ka dō ka shinpai desu.
I'm worried whether he is capable of handling that difficult role.
新しいプロジェクトの業務が来週から始まります。
Atarashii purojekuto no gyōmu ga raishū kara hajimarimasu.
The duties for the new project will start from next week.
Memory Tip
To remember 務, visualize its components: 矛 (spear) and 力 (power/strength). Imagine a warrior wielding a spear with all their might and strength to complete a vital mission or task. This act represents fulfilling a difficult 'duty' or 'task.' So, remembering 'wielding a spear (矛) with all your strength (力) to perform your duty (務)' creates a vivid image. The job or duty isn't easy; it requires focus and significant effort, much like a demanding task in battle. This mnemonic helps connect these visual elements to the core meaning of obligation and dedicated work.