Quick answer
勤 is the kanji for "Diligence". A common reading is つと.める (tsutomeru). You can also practice writing it on this page.
Meaning
Diligence
Also : to serve · to become employed
Learn 勤 with SRS
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Readings
kun = Japanese reading · on = Chinese reading
Practice writing
Trace the kanji stroke by stroke with a visual guide.
Stroke Order
12 strokes
Radicals
Memory Aid
The kanji 勤 represents 'DILIGENCE'. Think of this shape as a picture representing the concept of diligence.
On-reading: きん — remember this sound by associating it with diligence. Kun-reading: つと.める.
Example Sentences
毎日通勤に一時間かかります。
まいにちつうきんにいちじかんかかります。
Commuting takes one hour every day.
長年勤めた会社を退職しました。
ながねんつとめたかいしゃをたいしょくしました。
I retired from the company I worked at for many years.
Vocabulary using 勤
Grammar to study at this level
- [Verb dictionary/nai form] + ように～ように (you ni) - So that
- [Verb dictionary form] + ことにする～ことにする (koto ni suru) - Decide to
- [Verb dictionary form] + ことになる～ことになる (koto ni naru) - It has been decided that
- [Noun/Verb te-form] + ばかり～ばかり (bakari) - Only / Nothing but
- [Verb/Adjective plain form] + はずだ～はずだ (hazu da) - Should be / It is expected
Last updated Jun 18, 2026
Learn 勤 with Spaced Repetition
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