1.
odd jobs; miscellaneous tasks; chores
various small tasks that need to be done but are not one's main duties
雑用に追われている。
I'm swamped with miscellaneous tasks.
新人は雑用を任されることが多い。
Newcomers are often assigned odd jobs.
雑用を片付けてから本業に取りかかる。
I'll finish the miscellaneous tasks before getting to my main work.
雑用 refers to various small tasks that are not one's primary responsibilities.
COMPOSITION:
- 雑: Miscellaneous, various
- 用: Task, errand
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 雑用に追われる (to be swamped with odd jobs)
- 雑用を片付ける (to finish miscellaneous tasks)
- 雑用を任せる (to assign odd jobs)
- 雑用をこなす (to handle miscellaneous tasks)
- 雑用係 (person in charge of odd jobs)
USAGE NOTES:
- Can carry a slightly negative nuance of unimportant tasks
- Often contrasted with 本業 (main job) or 本来の仕事 (actual duties)
- New employees often start with 雑用
SIMILAR TERMS:
- 用事 (errand, task - more general)
- 雑事 (miscellaneous matters - slightly more formal)
- 小仕事 (small tasks)
REGISTER: Neutral. Common in workplace contexts.