努める

The Japanese verb 努める (tsutomeru) is a cornerstone of the Japanese ethos regarding perseverance and intentional effort. At its core, it means to strive, to make an effort, or to exert oneself toward a specific goal or standard. Unlike the more common and colloquial ganbaru, which often implies a general sense of 'doing one's best' or 'hanging in there,' tsutomeru carries a more formal, deliberate, and often professional nuance. It suggests a conscious application of will to achieve a result that requires steady, ongoing attention. When you use tsutomeru, you are not just working hard; you are dedicating your mental and physical resources to ensure a certain outcome or to maintain a specific state of being.

Etymological Root

The kanji 努 (do/tsuto-meru) consists of 'slave/servant' (奴) and 'power/strength' (力), historically implying the exertion of all one's power as if under a heavy obligation or duty.

Semantic Range

It covers everything from 'striving for a solution' to 'making an effort to be punctual' or 'endeavoring to improve service quality.'

In a cultural context, tsutomeru reflects the Japanese value of doryoku (effort). It is often found in corporate mission statements, government slogans, and formal apologies where the speaker promises to 'strive' to prevent a recurrence of an error. It is less about the passion of the moment and more about the consistency of the endeavor. This verb is almost always paired with the particle に to indicate the target of the effort. For example, kaizen ni tsutomeru (strive for improvement). It is also frequently used in the form ~you tsutomeru, meaning 'to try to [verb]' or 'to make sure to [verb].'

Understanding tsutomeru requires distinguishing it from its homophones: 勤める (to work for/be employed) and 務める (to serve as/act as). While they all sound like tsutomeru, the kanji 努 specifically targets the 'effort' aspect. In writing, using the wrong kanji is a common mistake even for native speakers in a rush, but in professional writing, the distinction is vital. 努める is the internal engine of effort, whereas 勤める is the external location of work, and 務める is the specific role one plays.

Grammatical Pattern

[Noun] + に + 努める (Strive for [Noun]) or [Verb-Dict] + よう + 努める (Strive to [Verb]).

In summary, tsutomeru is the verb of choice when you want to express a serious, focused, and often professional commitment to an objective. It transcends simple 'trying' and enters the realm of 'dedicated pursuit.' Whether you are striving for peace, striving for excellence, or simply striving to be on time, tsutomeru provides the linguistic weight necessary to convey that your effort is intentional and significant.

Using 努める correctly involves understanding its grammatical structures and the specific contexts where it outshines other 'effort' verbs. The most common structure is the [Target] + に努める pattern. Here, the target is usually a noun representing a goal, a state, or a process. For example, kaiketsu ni tsutomeru (strive for a solution) or seisetsu ni tsutomeru (strive for cleanliness). This indicates that the subject is actively working toward that specific end.

Structure 1: Noun + に努める

Focuses on the objective. Common nouns include: 普及 (dissemination), 改善 (improvement), 節約 (saving), 解決 (resolution).

The second major pattern is [Verb Phrase] + よう(に)努める. This is used when the effort is directed toward an action or a habit. It translates to 'try to...' or 'make an effort to...' but with a higher degree of formality and intention than ~te miru or ~you to suru. It implies a sustained attempt rather than a one-off try. For instance, mainichi hon o yomu you tsutomeru suggests a disciplined effort to read every day.

Structure 2: Verb (Dictionary Form) + よう(に)努める

Focuses on the behavior. Often used for rules, habits, or professional conduct.

In terms of conjugation, tsutomeru is a Ichidan (Group 2) verb. Its polite form is tsutomemasu, its te-form is tsutomete, and its past form is tsutometa. It is frequently used in the ~te iru form (tsutomete iru) to describe an ongoing effort or a current policy. In very formal contexts, you might see the humble form tsutomete mairimasu or the honorific tsutomeraremasu.

Finally, remember that tsutomeru is an intransitive verb in this sense. You don't 'strive something' directly with o; you strive *toward* something with ni. This is a key distinction for learners who might be tempted to use the direct object marker. By mastering these two patterns—ni tsutomeru and you tsutomeru—you can express a wide range of professional and personal commitments with the appropriate level of Japanese gravitas.

You will encounter 努める in a variety of settings, ranging from the highly formal to the moderately polite. It is a staple of Japanese News Broadcasts. When a spokesperson for a company or a government official is interviewed about a problem—be it a data leak, a train delay, or a policy change—they will almost invariably use tsutomeru to describe their next steps. 'We are striving to restore service' (fukkyuu ni tsutomete imasu) is a classic news phrase.

Corporate Environment

Found in company philosophies (Shakun), annual reports, and performance reviews. It signals a professional dedication to growth and quality.

In Academic and Educational Settings, teachers often use tsutomeru when addressing students or parents. Instead of the energetic 'Do your best!' (Ganbare!), a teacher might say, 'Please strive to study every day' (Mainichi benkyou suru you tsutomete kudasai). This places a sense of responsibility and discipline on the student. It is also common in academic papers when researchers describe their efforts to minimize errors or control variables.

Another common place is Public Service Announcements (PSAs). Signs in trains, parks, or public buildings often use tsutomeru. For example, 'Please strive to keep the park clean' (Kouen o kirei ni tamotsu you tsutomemashou). This is more polite and suggestive than a direct command, appealing to the citizen's sense of public duty. It's a way of saying 'we all need to make an effort here.'

Lastly, you'll hear it in Self-Help and Personal Development contexts. When someone discusses their personal goals in a serious manner—perhaps in a job interview or a deep conversation with a mentor—they use tsutomeru to show they are not just wishing for success, but actively working for it. 'I am striving to improve my English skills' (Eigo no sukiru appu ni tsutomete imasu) sounds much more professional and committed than simply saying 'I'm studying English.'

Customer Service

Waiters or clerks might use it when explaining a delay: 'I will strive to bring it as quickly as possible' (Narubeku hayaku o-mochi suru you tsutomemasu).

The most frequent pitfall for learners (and sometimes native speakers) is the Kanji Confusion. There are three common verbs pronounced tsutomeru, and using the wrong one in writing is a major error. 努める is for effort. 勤める is for working at a company (e.g., Ginkou ni tsutomeru - work at a bank). 務める is for playing a role or performing a duty (e.g., Shikai o tsutomeru - serve as the MC). Always double-check your kanji choice based on the context: Effort = 努, Job = 勤, Role = 務.

Mistake 1: Kanji Swap

Writing '銀行に努める' (Striving for a bank) when you mean '銀行に勤める' (Working at a bank).

Another common mistake is Particle Misuse. Many learners try to use the direct object particle o because in English we 'strive for something' or 'make an effort.' However, tsutomeru is an intransitive verb that takes the particle ni. Saying 'Kaiketsu o tsutomeru' is grammatically incorrect. It must be 'Kaiketsu ni tsutomeru.' Think of ni as pointing toward the goal you are striving for.

The third mistake is Register Mismatch. Using tsutomeru in a very casual setting can sound stiff or overly dramatic. If you are talking to a friend about trying to wake up earlier, tsutomeru might sound like you're giving a press conference. In casual speech, ganbaru or ~you to suru is much more natural. Save tsutomeru for when you want to sound serious, professional, or particularly determined.

Mistake 2: Over-formality

Using tsutomeru with close friends for trivial matters, which can come off as sarcastic or weirdly formal.

Finally, watch out for the Negative Form. While tsutomenai (don't strive) is grammatically possible, it's rarely used because it sounds like a deliberate refusal to make an effort, which is culturally quite harsh. Usually, if someone isn't making an effort, other verbs or phrases like doryoku ga tarinai (effort is insufficient) are used instead.

To truly master 努める, you must understand how it compares to its synonyms. The most obvious comparison is with 頑張る (ganbaru). While both involve effort, ganbaru is the all-purpose 'try hard' verb. It's used for sports, exams, and daily life. Tsutomeru is the 'professional' version. If ganbaru is the sweat on the field, tsutomeru is the strategy in the boardroom. Tsutomeru focuses more on the goal and the process of reaching it, whereas ganbaru focuses on the spirit and the act of not giving up.

Comparison: 努める vs. 励む (hagemu)

Hagemu implies being diligent and enthusiastic about a task, often used for studies or training (e.g., Gakkyuu ni hagemu). Tsutomeru is broader and more focused on achieving a specific standard or result.

Another similar word is 尽力する (jinryoku suru). This is even more formal than tsutomeru and literally means 'to exhaust one's power.' It is used when you are doing everything in your power to help someone or to make a project succeed. While tsutomeru is about the effort itself, jinryoku suru emphasizes the contribution and the total dedication of resources. You often use jinryoku suru in very high-level business or diplomatic contexts.

Then there is 試みる (kokoromiru), which means 'to try' or 'to attempt.' This is different because it focuses on the *experiment* or the *first attempt* at something new. Tsutomeru is about the *continuous effort* to achieve something known. If you are trying a new recipe for the first time, you kokoromiru. If you are striving to become a better cook over many months, you tsutomeru.

Quick Comparison Table

• 努める: Formal, goal-oriented effort.
• 頑張る: General, spirit-oriented effort.
• 励む: Diligent, habit-oriented effort.
• 尽力する: Very formal, resource-oriented effort.
• 試みる: Attempting something new.

Finally, don't forget the compound 努力する (doryoku suru). This is the noun form (effort) turned into a verb. It is very common and can often be used interchangeably with tsutomeru, but doryoku suru feels slightly more like a general statement of 'making an effort,' whereas tsutomeru feels like a specific action taken in a specific direction.