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道Nihongo Path
勤

勤·diligence, become employed, serve

On-yomi
きんごん
Kun-yomi
つと.める-づと.めつと.まるいそ.しむ

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
勤めるつとめるto work for, to be employed at
通勤つうきんcommuting to work
出勤しゅっきんgoing to work, reporting for duty
勤勉きんべんdiligent, hard-working

Example sentences

  1. 父は銀行に勤めています。

    ちちはぎんこうにつとめています。

    My father works at a bank.

  2. 毎日電車で一時間かけて通勤しています。

    まいにちでんしゃでいちじかんかけてつうきんしています。

    I commute an hour by train every day.

  3. 彼女は勤勉な人だと言われています。

    かのじょはきんべんなひとだといわれています。

    She is said to be a hard-working person.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing 勤める (be employed somewhere, takes に) with 努める (make an effort) and 務める (serve in a role)
  • Reading 出勤 as しゅつきん instead of しゅっきん

Memory aid

Picture it

力 (strength) added on the right: putting your strength in at the same place, day after day.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 勤 mean?