Explore 務 in words about obligations and work. Learn each reading with the whole word.

The idea

務 has 11 strokes. Its common compound reading is む: 義務（ぎむ） means obligation, 任務（にんむ） an assigned mission, and 勤務（きんむ） work or service. 務める（つとめる） is a verb meaning to serve in a role.

Patterns to compare
WordReadingExample
義務ぎむPaying taxes is a duty of citizens.
勤務きんむShe works at a hospital.
任務にんむMy mission is to deliver the luggage.
事務じむI help with office work.

Examples

  • 税金ぜいきんを払はらうのは国民こくみんの義務ぎむです。Paying taxes is a duty of citizens.
  • 彼女かのじょは病院びょういんに勤務きんむしています。She works at a hospital.
  • 私わたしの任務にんむは荷物にもつを届とどけることです。My mission is to deliver the luggage.
  • 父ちちは会社かいしゃで長ながく勤つとめています。My father has worked at a company for a long time.
  • 会議かいぎの司会しかいを務つとめます。I will chair the meeting.
  • 事務じむの仕事しごとを手伝てつだいます。I help with office work.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.

Watch out

義務 is something one is obliged to do; 任務 is a task assigned to someone. 勤務 describes working or being on duty, not an obligation itself.

Try it yourself

  1. Write the reading of 義務 in hiragana.

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    ぎむ

    義務 is read ぎむ: it means an obligation. Learn the reading together with the compound.

  2. Write the reading of 勤務 in hiragana.

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    きんむ

    勤務 is read きんむ: it refers to work or service, as in working at a hospital.

  3. Choose the missing kanji: 任＿（にんむ）［務／無］.

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    務

    務 completes 任務（にんむ）, an assigned mission; 任無 is not the word.

Use it today

Write 務 using the linked stroke diagram, then cover the readings and make a sentence with 義務 or 任務.