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道Nihongo Path
務

務·duty, task

On-yomi
ム
Kun-yomi
つとめる

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

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

11 strokes, numbered in writing order. Data: KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0).

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
事務所じむしょoffice
公務員こうむいんcivil servant
義務ぎむduty, obligation
務めるつとめるto serve in a role

Example sentences

  1. 父は事務所で働いています。

    ちちはじむしょではたらいています。

    My father works in an office.

  2. 日本では教育は国民の義務です。

    にほんではきょういくはこくみんのぎむです。

    In Japan, education is a duty of the citizens.

  3. 兄は公務員になりました。

    あにはこうむいんになりました。

    My older brother became a civil servant.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Three つとめる: 務める (fill a role), 勤める (be employed at a company), 努める (make an effort)
  • Reading 事務所 as *じむじょ instead of じむしょ

Memory aid

Picture it

Strength (力) holding up the whole character — a duty is work you put your back into.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 務 mean?