務 means “duty, task”

む · mu

Also: duties

Kun'yomi (Japanese reading)

つとめる

On'yomi (Chinese reading)

ム

JLPT N3 · Taught in grade 5 · 11 strokes

The story

A spear (矛), a striking hand (攵) and strength (力) underneath: picture a soldier pushing through a job that has to be done. 務 is the work you owe, from the paperwork of a 事務所 to the 義務, the duty, of every citizen.

Used in 事務所 (jimusho, office), 義務 (gimu, duty/obligation), and 公務員 (koumuin, civil servant)

More from At the Office

• 機 machine
• 予 beforehand
• 件 matter
• 任 entrust
• 係 person in charge
• 局 bureau
• 職 job
• 役 role
• 備 prepare
• 席 seat
• 労 labor
• 号 number

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Readings from KANJIDIC2, © EDRDG, CC BY-SA.