勤(つと)め

つとめ
noun
work, employment
See also: 務(つと)め (duty, role)
1. work, employment, job
One's place of work or employment. The noun form of 勤(つと)める (to work at, to be employed). Refers to working for a company or organization.
父(ちち)は銀行(ぎんこう)勤(づと)めだ。
My father works at a bank.
〜勤(つと)め = working at ~
会社(かいしゃ)勤(づと)めは長(なが)いですか。
Have you been working at the company long?
Please call my workplace.
勤(つと)め先(さき) = place of employment

Usage: This kanji (勤(つと)め) emphasizes employment at a company or organization. Different from 務(つと)め which emphasizes duty or responsibility.

Common patterns

  • 〜勤(つと)め (working at ~): 銀行(ぎんこう)勤(つと)め (bank employee), 会社(かいしゃ)勤(つと)め (company employee)
  • 勤(つと)め先(さき) (workplace, employer)
  • 勤(つと)め人(にん) (office worker, salaried worker)
  • お勤(つと)め (polite: one's work)

Similar words

  • 勤(つと)め - focuses on employment, working for someone
  • 務(つと)め - focuses on duty, obligation, role

Both are read つとめ but have different nuances.

Related Words