Quadruple VS
Synonym Boundary: "働きます", "しごと", "勤める", "息が合う"
All represent the core concept "work", but require precise selection.
Japanese Option A
働きます
はたらきます (hatarakimasu)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option B
しごと
しごと (shigoto)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
勤める
つとめる (tsutomeru)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
息が合う
いきがあう (ikigaau)
B2 / CEFR
Quadruple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "work" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "働きます", "しごと", "勤める", "息が合う" based on context.
- 働きます (はたらきます (hatarakimasu) - Level: N5): Maps to "to work" and is used when Polite form of 働く.
- しごと (しごと (shigoto) - Level: N5): Maps to "work, job" and is used when Refers to employment or tasks. To work is 働きます.
- 勤める (つとめる (tsutomeru) - Level: N4): Maps to "to work for; to be employed at; to serve" and is used when This verb specifically means 'to be employed at' or 'to work for' a company, organization, or in a specific role. It emphasizes the act of serving or being engaged in a profession, often used with the particle に or で. It differs from 働く.
- 息が合う (いきがあう (ikigaau) - Level: B2): Maps to "to work well together" and is used when Essential structural term in CEFR B2 vocabulary syllabus..
Context for "働きます"
私は毎日8時間働きます。
I work 8 hours every day.
Context for "しごと"
彼は新しい仕事を探しています。
He is looking for a new job.
Context for "勤める"
彼は銀行に勤めています。
He works for a bank.
Context for "息が合う"
毎日、日本語を練習するために息が合う。
Every day, I work well together to practice Japanese.
Synonym Mastery Challenge
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "私は毎日8時間 ＿＿＿ 。" (Meaning: "I work 8 hours every day.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "働きます" is correct here because it represents "to work" in the context: "I work 8 hours every day.".