勤(つと)める

つとめる

verb (ichidan)

to work (for)

1. to work for, to be employed at

To be employed at a company or organization. Focuses on the place of employment rather than the job itself.

銀行(ぎんこう)に勤(つと)めています。

I work at a bank.

Place of work uses に

I want to work at a big company.

My father works at a hospital.

I've been working at this company ever since I graduated from university.

She works at a famous company, but the job is tough and she works late every day.

TRANSITIVITY: 自動詞(じどうし) (intransitive). No pair verb. Pattern: Xに勤(つと)める (work at X).

ASPECT: ている indicates ongoing state. 勤(つと)めている = 'is employed at' (current employment).

COMMON PATTERNS:

Specific to employment at an organization (uses に). Different from 働(はたら)く (general 'work').

Related: 勤務(きんむ) (service/employment).

Related Words