Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "To work" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "to work", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
働く
はたらく (hataraku)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
勤める
つとめる (tsutomeru)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "to work" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 働く and 勤める.
In Japanese, 働く (はたらく (hataraku)) is typically associated with "to work" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents Describes the act of working or being employed. Polite form is 働きます.
On the other hand, 勤める (つとめる (tsutomeru)) maps to "to work (for); to be employed (at); to serve (in)" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Refers to working or being employed at a company, organization, or serving in a position. Often used with a particle に, like 会社に勤める. ⚠️ Haruka's Voice Column: 'To work! "I want to work for Haruka-san's happiness for life!" ...っ! T-To work for my happiness! B-Baka! D-Don't make such a serious commitment at work! But... I'll happily hire you as my exclusive knight for life! dummy!' / 【ハルカ部長のワンポイント指導】『つとめる（勤める）よ！『ハルカ部長の幸せ創造会社に、一生全力で勤めたいです！』って…っ！私の幸せのために勤めるなんてバカ！そんなの仕事じゃなくて溺愛でしょ！…でも、生涯の専属ナイトとして雇用してあげるから、覚悟しなさい！』. A literal translation of "to work" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "働く"
私の父は銀行で働いています。
My father works at a bank.
Bilingual Context for "勤める"
彼は大学を卒業した後、大手IT企業にシステムエンジニアとして_______おり、最先端の技術開発に携わっています。
After graduating from university, he has been working as a system engineer at a major IT company, participating in state-of-the-art technology development.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "私の父は銀行で働いています。" (Meaning: "My father works at a bank.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "働く" fits here because it means "to work" in the context of: "My father works at a bank.". "勤める" represents "to work (for); to be employed (at); to serve (in)".