勤 — Diligence, Work, Serve

Meaning

The kanji 勤 (きん, つとめる) broadly means 'diligence,' 'industry,' 'work,' and 'service.' It suggests a conscientious effort and commitment to a task or duty, often within a professional setting. When you encounter 勤, picture someone actively and diligently fulfilling their responsibilities or putting consistent effort into their work.

Its etymological roots offer deeper insight into its core meaning. The kanji 勤 consists of two main parts: the radical 力 (ちから), signifying 'power' or 'strength,' and the phonetic component 堇 (キン). Historically, 堇 depicted sticky clay or a challenging, small task. Combining these, we can interpret 勤 as applying 'strength' or 'effort' (力) to something that might be 'small' or 'difficult' (堇), or diligently tackling various tasks. This imagery perfectly encapsulates hard work, perseverance, and dedication to one's responsibilities. It highlights exerting energy to complete tasks, from grand projects to mundane daily duties, and thereby fulfilling one's obligations.

With 12 strokes, 勤 is introduced in the 6th grade of Japanese elementary schools. You'll frequently encounter its compounds at the N3 JLPT level, reflecting its common use in professional and social settings.

Readings

On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings

The primary on'yomi reading for 勤 is キンkin. As with most on'yomi, this reading appears when 勤 is part of a compound word. It often conveys a more formal or administrative sense related to work, duty, or diligence.

• 勤務きんむ (kinmu) — duty; service; work. This refers to the act of working or serving in one's capacity, often in a formal employment setting.
• 勤務時間きんむじかん (kinmu jikan) — working hours. This specifies the designated time one spends at work. For example, 多くの会社では勤務時間きんむじかんが午前9時から午後5時までです (In many companies, working hours are from 9 AM to 5 PM).
• 通勤つうきん (tsūkin) — commuting to work. This refers to the act of traveling to and from one's place of employment. Many people experience 満員電車まんいんでんしゃでの通勤つうきん (commuting on a packed train).
• 勤勉きんべん (kinben) — diligence; industry. This describes the quality of being hardworking and assiduous in one's tasks. A 勤勉きんべんな人ひと (diligent person) is often admired.
• 勤労感謝の日きんろうかんしゃのひ (Kinrō Kansha no Hi) — Labor Thanksgiving Day. A national holiday in Japan celebrated on November 23rd, appreciating labor.

Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings

The kun'yomi readings for 勤 are つと.めるtsutomeru and つと.まるtsutomaru. These readings are used when 勤 functions as a verb, always appearing with okurigana (送り仮名) to complete its form. They carry nuances of working for, serving, or being capable of a role.

• 勤めるつとめる (tsutomeru) — This is a transitive verb meaning 'to work for,' 'to serve,' or 'to endeavor.' It signifies actively performing duties or being employed by an organization.
• 会社かいしゃに勤めるつとめる (kaisha ni tsutomeru) — to work for a company. This is a very common phrase to express employment. For example, 彼かれは大手企業おおてきぎょうに勤めてつとめています (He works for a major corporation).
• 大使館たいしかんに勤めるつとめる (taishikan ni tsutomeru) — to work at an embassy. A diplomat might 海外かいがいの大使館たいしかんに勤めるつとめる (work at an embassy overseas).
• 勤まるつとまる (tsutomaru) — This is an intransitive verb meaning 'to be fit for,' or 'to be capable of' a certain role or duty. It describes whether someone is up to the task or responsibility.
• 大役たいやくが勤まるつとまる (taiyaku ga tsutomaru) — to be capable of a major role. This implies having the necessary skills or temperament for a significant responsibility. Only someone with extensive experience could ensure that such a 大役たいやくが勤まるつとまる (major role is handled properly).
• 彼女かのじょにはその仕事しごとは勤まるつとまるだろうか (kanojo niwa sono shigoto wa tsutomaru darō ka) — Is she capable of that job? After all, it requires very specific skills.

Common Words & Compounds

Here are some common words and compounds that use 勤, organized into categories for better understanding:

Work and Employment Related:

• 勤務きんむ (kinmu) — duty, service, work. (e.g., 夜間勤務やかんきんむ - night duty, 事務勤務じむきんむ - office work)
• 通勤つうきん (tsūkin) — commuting to work. (e.g., 通勤電車つうきんでんしゃ - commuter train, 通勤手当つうきんてあて - commuting allowance)
• 出勤しゅっきん (shukkin) — attendance (at work), going to work. (e.g., 定時出勤ていじしゅっきん - punctual attendance, 在宅出勤ざいたくしゅっきん - working from home)
• 欠勤けっきん (kekkin) — absence from work. (e.g., 病気欠勤びょうきけっきん - absence due to illness, 無断欠勤むだんけっきん - unauthorized absence)
• 勤労きんろう (kinrō) — labor, exertion, diligent service. (e.g., 勤労者きんろうしゃ - a laborer/worker, 勤労奉仕きんろうほうし - labor service)
• 転勤てんきん (tenkin) — transfer (to a new post). (e.g., 海外転勤かいがいてんきん - overseas transfer, 単身赴任たんしんふにんでの転勤てんきん - transfer with a spouse staying behind)
• 勤め先つとめさき (tsutomesaki) — place of employment. (e.g., 私わたしの勤め先つとめさきは駅えきの近ちかくです - My workplace is near the station.)
• 勤め人つとめにん (tsutomenin) — office worker, employee. (e.g., 彼かれは真面目まじめな勤め人つとめにんです - He is a serious office worker.)

Diligence and Effort Related:

• 勤勉きんべん (kinben) — diligence, industry. (e.g., 勤勉な学生きんべんながくせい - diligent student, 勤勉きんべんに働はたらく - work diligently)
• 精勤せいきん (seikin) — diligent service, assiduity. (often implies excellent attendance and effort, e.g., 精勤賞せいきんしょう - perfect attendance award)

Service and Duty Related:

• お勤めおつとめ (otsutome) — work, service, duty (often used politely, or for formal or religious duties). (e.g., 仏様ほとけさまへのお勤めおつとめ - Buddhist service)
• 勤番きんばん (kinban) — guard duty, attendance by turns. (Historical or specific context, e.g., 江戸時代えどじだいの勤番武士きんばんぶし - samurai on guard duty during the Edo period)

Example Sentences

Memory Tip

To remember 勤, think about its components: 力 (chikara), meaning 'power' or 'strength,' and 堇 (kin), which acts as a phonetic component but can also suggest 'small' or 'difficult' tasks (like sticky clay, its original depiction). Imagine putting your 'strength' (力) into meticulously handling many 'small, difficult pieces' (堇) of daily work. This consistent application of effort to even the smallest duties embodies 'diligence' and 'service.' For instance, picture a diligent worker applying their strength to carefully perform every task, no matter how small or repetitive, thereby fulfilling their duties. This combination truly emphasizes the effort required to work diligently and serve consistently.