努 appears in words about making an effort. Learn each reading in a complete word.
The idea
努 has 7 strokes. Follow the linked diagram. 努力（どりょく） is a noun meaning effort; 努力する means to make an effort. 努める（つとめる） means to strive to do something.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 努力 | どりょく | effort |
| 努める | つとめる | to strive |
| 努力家 | どりょくか | hard worker |
Examples
- 毎日努力しています。I make an effort every day.
- 彼女の努力が実りました。Her efforts paid off.
- 私たちは時間どおりに着くように努めています。We are trying to arrive on time.
- ゆっくり話すように努めています。I try to speak slowly.
- 彼は努力家です。He is an industrious person.
- あなたの努力は大切です。Your effort is important.
Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.
No Japanese device voice is available. You can still read the text and use the linked listening resources.
Watch out
努力 describes effort, not a guaranteed result. 努める is different from 勤める, which often means to work for an organization.
Try it yourself
Write the reading of 努力 in hiragana.
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どりょく
努力 is どりょく; 力 is read りょく in this compound.
Write the reading of 努める in hiragana.
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つとめる
努める is つとめる, including the kana ending める.
Choose the missing kanji: ＿力（どりょく）［努／勤］.
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努
努 completes 努力, the word for effort.
Practice round
Answer questions, then rebuild Japanese sentences where available. We keep your score.
Write the reading of 努力 in hiragana.
Write the reading of 努める in hiragana.
Choose the missing kanji: ＿力（どりょく）［努／勤］.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Write 努 following the diagram, then cover the table and recall both readings. Make a sentence about something you strive to do.