勤務する
勤務する in 30 Seconds
- Formal verb for 'to work' at an institution.
- Focuses on the state of being on duty or employed.
- Commonly used with the particle 'ni' for the workplace.
- Essential for business Japanese and formal documents.
The Japanese verb 勤務する (kinmu suru) is a formal and professional term that translates to 'to work,' 'to be on duty,' or 'to serve at a place of employment.' While the general verb 働く (hataraku) describes the physical or mental act of working, 勤務する specifically emphasizes the state of being employed at a specific organization or the specific time period one is performing their duties. It is composed of two kanji: 勤 (kin), meaning 'diligence' or 'to serve,' and 務 (mu), meaning 'task' or 'duty.' Together, they create a nuance of official responsibility within a structured environment like a company, hospital, or government office.
- Professional Context
- Used in contracts, resumes, and formal self-introductions to indicate where one is officially stationed.
- Temporal Aspect
- Refers to specific shifts, such as 'night duty' (夜間勤務) or 'long hours' (長時間勤務).
- Location Focus
- Typically paired with the particle 'ni' (に) to indicate the organization one belongs to.
彼は20年間、この市役所に勤務している。(He has been working at this city hall for 20 years.)
Understanding the weight of this word requires looking at Japanese work culture. 勤務する implies a sense of belonging to an entity. It is not just about the task at hand, but about the official role one occupies. For instance, a doctor might say they are 'on duty' using this term, focusing on their shift and professional obligation. It is rarely used for casual part-time jobs (arubaito) unless the context is formal, such as a legal document or a formal interview.
本日は18時まで勤務する予定です。(I am scheduled to be on duty until 6:00 PM today.)
In a broader sense, 勤務 covers the administrative side of work. When you see a 'Work Schedule,' it is called a 勤務表 (kinmu-hyō). When you talk about 'Working Conditions,' you use 勤務条件 (kinmu-jōken). The word is deeply embedded in the infrastructure of Japanese professional life. It bridges the gap between the individual's effort and the organization's requirements.
リモートワークで自宅から勤務する社員が増えている。(The number of employees working from home via remote work is increasing.)
- Legal Nuance
- Used in labor laws to define 'working hours' (勤務時間).
- Status Nuance
- Indicates a stable, often full-time, professional relationship.
彼女は大手銀行の本店に勤務している。(She works at the head office of a major bank.)
Finally, 勤務する is essential for anyone navigating the Japanese corporate world. It appears in every 'Shuushoku' (job hunting) context. When an interviewer asks where you worked previously, using '...ni kinmu shite orimashita' (the humble form) demonstrates a high level of linguistic and cultural competence. It suggests you understand the gravity of professional service.
Using 勤務する correctly involves understanding its grammatical patterns and its social register. As a 'suru' verb, it is versatile but carries a formal tone that dictates where and how it should be used. The most common pattern is [Place] に 勤務する. While [Place] で 働く is common for general activities, 'ni' highlights the official attachment to the organization.
- Pattern 1: [Organization] + に + 勤務する
- Focuses on the employer. Example: 病院に勤務する (To work at a hospital).
- Pattern 2: [Condition/Shift] + 勤務する
- Focuses on how/when you work. Example: 夜間勤務する (To work the night shift).
- Pattern 3: [Location] + で + 勤務する
- Focuses on the physical site, common in remote work contexts. Example: 自宅で勤務する (To work at home).
In professional writing, such as a CV or a company profile, you will see the noun form 勤務 used extensively. For example, 勤務地 (kinmu-chi) refers to the 'work location.' If you are filling out a form, you might see 勤務先 (kinmu-saki), which means 'employer' or 'place of work.' Knowing how to transition between the verb and noun forms is key to B1-level proficiency.
新しい勤務体系では、週に3日出社して勤務することになります。(Under the new work system, you will work by coming to the office three days a week.)
Socially, 勤務する is the 'safe' choice for formal situations. If you are meeting a client or a superior for the first time, saying 'ABC株式会社に勤務しております' (I work for ABC Co., Ltd.) is much more appropriate than the casual 'ABCで働いています.' The latter is fine for friends, but the former shows you are a professional who respects the structure of your company.
Another important aspect is the 'te-iru' form: 勤務している. This indicates a continuous state of employment. If you say 'kinmu shimasu,' it sounds like you are about to start a shift or are stating a future intention. For your current job, always use 'kinmu shite imasu' or the humble 'kinmu shite orimasu.'
父は定年まで同じ会社に勤務し続けました。(My father continued to work at the same company until retirement.)
Lastly, consider the 'suru' verb's flexibility in forming compound nouns. 交代勤務 (kōtai kinmu - shift work), 在宅勤務 (zaitaku kinmu - telecommuting), and 超過勤務 (chōka kinmu - overtime) are all vital terms in the modern Japanese workplace. Mastering 勤務する means mastering the vocabulary of the Japanese economy.
You will encounter 勤務する in various professional and public spheres in Japan. It is a staple of 'Keigo' (honorific language) environments and formal documentation. If you are watching a Japanese drama about doctors, lawyers, or office workers, you will hear this word constantly during shift changes or introductions.
- At the Hospital
- Nurses and doctors use it to describe their rotations. 'I am on duty tonight' is often '今夜は当直で勤務します.'
- In News Reports
- When reporting on labor issues or company news, announcers use 'kinmu' to maintain a neutral, objective tone.
- Job Interviews
- Interviewers will ask, 'どのような形態で勤務したいですか?' (In what capacity/style do you wish to work?).
「こちら、当院に勤務しております佐藤先生です。」("This is Dr. Sato, who works at our hospital.")
In the corporate world, internal announcements often use the term. For example, an email about holiday schedules might say '年末年始の勤務について' (Regarding work during the New Year holidays). It is also found in the 'Terms of Service' or 'Employment Contracts' (雇用契約書), where the specific hours and locations of duty are defined.
If you are a student of Japanese, you will see this word in JLPT N3 and N2 reading materials. It often appears in passages about social trends, such as the rise of 'Zaitaku Kinmu' (working from home) or the challenges of 'Chōkan Kinmu' (overtime). It is a key word for understanding the 'Working Style Reform' (働き方改革) discussions in Japan.
「現在の勤務条件に満足していますか?」("Are you satisfied with your current working conditions?")
Finally, you'll hear it in self-introductions at networking events. Using 'kinmu' instead of 'hataraku' immediately signals to your interlocutor that you are a serious professional. It sets a tone of mutual respect and formal distance that is highly valued in Japanese business etiquette.
While 勤務する is a powerful word, it is easy for learners to misuse it by applying it to the wrong context or using the wrong particles. The most frequent error is using it in overly casual settings, which can make you sound stiff or unnaturally formal.
- Mistake 1: Particle Confusion (で vs に)
- Learners often say 'Company で 勤務する.' While not strictly 'wrong' in all cases, 'Company に 勤務する' is the standard for indicating affiliation. 'De' is better for 'hataraku.'
- Mistake 2: Casual Contexts
- Saying 'コンビニで勤務している' (I work at a convenience store) to a friend sounds like you're reading a police report. Use 'hataraite-iru' or 'baito shiteru' instead.
- Mistake 3: Confusing with 勤める (tsutomeru)
- Both mean to work/be employed, but 勤める is a transitive verb often used as '...ni tsutomete-iru.' 勤務する is more about the 'duty' itself.
❌ 趣味で庭に勤務しています。(I work in the garden as a hobby.)
✅ 趣味で庭仕事をしています。
Another common pitfall is failing to distinguish between 勤務 (the act of being on duty) and 仕事 (the work itself). You don't 'kinmu' a project; you 'kinmu' at a company. You 'do' (suru) a job (shigoto). For example, you wouldn't say 'kinmu ga isogashii' to mean 'I have a lot of tasks'; you would say 'shigoto ga isogashii.' 'Kinmu' refers to the shift or the employment status.
Learners also sometimes forget the 'suru' in verbal usage. 'Watashi wa ginkō kinmu desu' (I am a bank employee) is a common noun-based shortcut, but if you want to use the verb, you must include 'suru' or its conjugated forms. Also, be careful with the honorifics. In a humble context, use 'kinmu shite orimasu,' not 'kinmu shite irasshaimasu' (which is for someone else).
❌ 明日は休みだから勤務しません。(Since tomorrow is a holiday, I won't work.)
✅ 明日は休みなので、勤務はありません。(Tomorrow is a holiday, so there is no duty.) - The latter is more natural in a professional context.
Finally, avoid using 勤務する for freelance work or self-employment unless you are referring to a specific contract with an institution. If you are a freelance designer working from a cafe, 'kinmu' sounds out of place because there is no formal 'duty' to an organization involved.
To master 勤務する, you must understand how it sits alongside other Japanese words for 'working.' Japanese has many nuances for labor, and choosing the right one depends on formality, the nature of the work, and your relationship with the listener.
- 働く (Hataraku)
- The most general term. It covers everything from a bee gathering pollen to a CEO running a company. It focuses on the action of labor.
- 勤める (Tsutomeru)
- Very similar to 勤務する. It means to be employed or to serve. However, it is a native Japanese word (kun-yomi) and feels slightly softer than the Chinese-origin (on-yomi) 勤務する.
- 従事する (Jūji suru)
- A very formal term meaning 'to be engaged in' a specific field or industry. Example: 農業に従事する (To be engaged in agriculture).
- 就業する (Shūgyō suru)
- Refers to the act of starting work or the state of being employed in a legal/statistical sense.
「私はIT企業に勤めています。」 vs 「私はIT企業に勤務しています。」 (The first is standard polite; the second is slightly more formal/official.)
The choice between 勤務する and 働く often comes down to the 'place' vs 'action' distinction. If you want to say you are working hard, you use 働く (一生懸命働く). You cannot say 'isshōkenmei kinmu suru' as easily because 'kinmu' is a status. Similarly, if you are talking about the physical act of moving boxes, use 働く. If you are talking about your 9-to-5 schedule at the office, 勤務する is perfect.
Another word often confused is 稼ぐ (kasegu), which means 'to earn money.' While 勤務する is about duty, 稼ぐ is about the financial result. You might 'kinmu' at a bank to 'kasegu' a high salary. Then there is 奉職する (hōshoku suru), an extremely formal word used for public servants or teachers, meaning 'to take up a post.'
彼は長年、教育界に従事してきた。(He has been engaged in the world of education for many years.) - Focuses on the field, not just one office.
In summary, use 働く for general talk, 勤める for polite self-introductions, and 勤務する for formal, official, or shift-related contexts. Understanding these boundaries will make your Japanese sound much more natural and sophisticated.
How Formal Is It?
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Difficulty Rating
Grammar to Know
Examples by Level
私は銀行に勤務しています。
I work at a bank.
Uses the polite 'te-imasu' form for a current state.
父は10時から5時まで勤務します。
My father works from 10 to 5.
Shows a time range for duty.
どこに勤務していますか?
Where do you work?
A formal way to ask about someone's job location.
母は病院に勤務しています。
My mother works at a hospital.
Common use for professional institutions.
今日は夜に勤務します。
I will work at night today.
Refers to a specific shift.
新しい会社に勤務することになりました。
I have started working at a new company.
koto ni naru indicates a decided change.
毎日8時間勤務します。
I work 8 hours every day.
States a regular duty period.
彼はここで勤務しています。
He works here.
Simple location-based usage.
大学を卒業して、この会社に勤務し始めました。
After graduating from university, I started working at this company.
V-stem + hajimeta (started doing).
勤務時間は午前9時から午後6時までです。
Working hours are from 9 AM to 6 PM.
Noun usage: 勤務時間 (working hours).
私の勤務地は東京です。
My work location is Tokyo.
Noun usage: 勤務地 (work location).
土曜日も勤務しなければなりませんか?
Do I have to work on Saturdays too?
Must-do form: nakereba narimasen.
彼女は3年間、海外の支店に勤務していました。
She was working at an overseas branch for three years.
Past continuous for a finished state of employment.
今の勤務先に満足していますか?
Are you satisfied with your current employer?
Noun usage: 勤務先 (employer/place of work).
兄は公務員として市役所に勤務しています。
My brother works at the city hall as a civil servant.
X to shite (as X) + kinmu suru.
来週から新しい部署で勤務します。
I will work in a new department from next week.
Indicates a change in work location/department.
彼は20年間、誠実に勤務し続けてきた。
He has continued to work faithfully for 20 years.
V-stem + tsuzukete-kita (continued up to now).
体調不良のため、本日の勤務を休みます。
I will be absent from work today due to poor health.
Formal way to report an absence.
リモートワークの導入により、自宅で勤務する人が増えた。
With the introduction of remote work, the number of people working from home has increased.
Focuses on the style of duty.
この病院では、看護師が交代で勤務している。
At this hospital, nurses work in shifts.
kōtai de (in shifts).
契約社員として5年間勤務しました。
I worked as a contract employee for five years.
Specifies the type of employment.
勤務中は私用の電話を控えてください。
Please refrain from making personal calls while on duty.
kinmu-chū (while on duty).
彼は非常に厳しい条件で勤務している。
He is working under very strict conditions.
jōken de (under conditions).
転勤で大阪の支社に勤務することになった。
I have been transferred to work at the Osaka branch.
tenkin (job transfer) + kinmu suru.
フレックスタイム制を利用して、効率的に勤務している。
I am working efficiently by utilizing the flextime system.
Focuses on modern work systems.
超過勤務手当が正しく支払われていない可能性がある。
There is a possibility that overtime pay is not being paid correctly.
chōka kinmu (overtime) + teate (allowance).
彼女は子育てをしながら、短時間勤務制度を利用している。
She is using the reduced working hours system while raising her child.
shōjikan kinmu (short-time work).
長年の勤務功労が認められ、表彰された。
His many years of meritorious service were recognized, and he was honored.
kinmu kōrō (meritorious service).
副業が禁止されているため、他社で勤務することはできない。
Since side jobs are prohibited, I cannot work for another company.
Legal/policy context.
災害時には、全職員が非常勤務体制に入る。
In the event of a disaster, all staff members enter an emergency duty system.
hijō kinmu (emergency duty).
彼は海外出張が多く、月の半分は国外で勤務している。
He travels abroad a lot and works outside the country for half the month.
Describes a high-level professional lifestyle.
勤務実態を調査した結果、サービス残業が発覚した。
As a result of investigating the actual work situation, unpaid overtime was discovered.
kinmu jittai (actual work situation).
本条項は、従業員が競合他社に勤務することを制限するものである。
This clause restricts employees from working for competing companies.
Legal/contractual language.
ワークライフバランスの向上を目指し、勤務体系を抜本的に見直した。
With the aim of improving work-life balance, we fundamentally reviewed the work system.
Corporate strategy/policy context.
彼は外交官として、長年在外公館に勤務してきた。
As a diplomat, he has served in overseas diplomatic missions for many years.
zaigai kōkan (overseas mission) + kinmu.
裁量労働制のもとでは、勤務時間の管理が個人の裁量に委ねられる。
Under the discretionary labor system, the management of working hours is left to the individual's discretion.
sairyō rōdō sei (discretionary labor system).
定年退職後も、再雇用制度を利用して同じ職場に勤務し続けている。
Even after reaching mandatory retirement age, he continues to work at the same workplace using the re-employment system.
saikoyō (re-employment).
過酷な勤務環境が、若手社員の離職率を高める要因となっている。
Harsh working environments are a factor in increasing the turnover rate among young employees.
Sociological/economic analysis.
彼は専門職として、特定のプロジェクトに期間限定で勤務している。
As a specialist, he is working on a specific project for a limited period.
Specifies a niche professional role.
勤務評定の結果が、次年度の昇給額に反映される。
The results of the performance appraisal will be reflected in the salary increase for the next fiscal year.
kinmu hyōtei (performance appraisal).
公務員の勤務規律の保持は、行政に対する国民の信頼の基盤である。
Maintaining the work discipline of civil servants is the foundation of public trust in the administration.
High-level political/administrative discourse.
労働基準法に抵触するような勤務実態は、直ちに是正されなければならない。
Actual working conditions that conflict with the Labor Standards Act must be corrected immediately.
Legal imperative.
高度プロフェッショナル制度の導入により、勤務時間と報酬の相関関係が希薄化した。
With the introduction of the high-level professional system, the correlation between working hours and compensation has weakened.
Advanced economic terminology.
彼はその功績により、永年勤続表彰の栄誉に浴した。
Due to his achievements, he was honored with a long-service award.
Archaic/highly formal expression (eiyo ni yokushita).
職務専念義務に基づき、勤務時間中は職務にのみ邁進すべきである。
Based on the duty to devote oneself to work, one should strive only for their duties during working hours.
Ethical/legal philosophy.
多様な勤務形態の受容が、企業の持続可能な成長には不可欠である。
Acceptance of diverse work styles is essential for the sustainable growth of a company.
Corporate sustainability discourse.
勤務間インターバル制度の義務化が、過労死防止の鍵を握っている。
Making the work-interval system mandatory holds the key to preventing death from overwork.
Public policy debate.
彼はその冷徹な勤務態度から、同僚たちに「機械」と渾名されていた。
Because of his cold work attitude, he was nicknamed 'The Machine' by his colleagues.
Literary/descriptive usage.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
勤務時間 (working hours)
勤務地 (work location)
勤務先 (employer)
勤務体系 (work system)
勤務評定 (performance appraisal)
勤務中 (on duty)
勤務形態 (form of employment)
勤務表 (work schedule)
勤務態度 (work attitude)
勤務年数 (years of service)
Often Confused With
Tsutomeru is more general/polite; Kinmu is more formal/technical.
Hataraku is the act of labor; Kinmu is the status of duty.
Tsūkin means 'to commute to work,' not the work itself.
Idioms & Expressions
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Easily Confused
Sentence Patterns
Word Family
Related
How to Use It
Institutional and scheduled.
High. Not for casual chat with friends.
勤 (service) + 務 (duty).
- Using 'kinmu suru' for hobbies like gardening.
- Using 'de' instead of 'ni' for the employer in formal speech.
- Confusing 'kinmu' (duty) with 'shigoto' (the work itself).
- Using it in very casual conversations with friends.
- Forgetting the 'suru' when using it as a verb.
Tips
Particle Choice
Use 'ni' for the company (ABC社に勤務) and 'de' for the city or specific room (東京で勤務).
Business Etiquette
In a job interview, always use 'kinmu shite orimasu' to describe your current role.
Noun Compounds
Learn 'kinmu' as a prefix for many work terms like 'kinmu-hyō' (schedule).
Duty vs. Action
Remember that 'kinmu' is about your shift and obligation, not the specific tasks you do.
Medical/Legal
This is the primary word used in hospitals and government offices for 'working'.
Resume Tip
When listing jobs, use '...株式会社 勤務' to look professional.
Shift Talk
If you are a nurse or doctor, use 'kinmu' to talk about your rotations.
Social Status
Understand that 'kinmu' implies you are a 'shakaijin' (responsible adult).
News Reports
Pay attention to this word during news segments about labor laws.
Kin + Mu
Diligence + Duty = Professional Work.
Memorize It
Word Origin
Sino-Japanese (Kango) compound used to describe official service to a lord or government, later adapted for modern employment.
Cultural Context
The term 'Sābisu Zan'gyō' refers to 'service' (unpaid) overtime, which is a major social issue related to 'kinmu' hours.
The term 'Zaitaku Kinmu' became a household word during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Japan has a strong culture of 'Yakin' (night duty) in healthcare and convenience stores.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Conversation Starters
"どちらの会社に勤務されていますか? (Which company do you work for?)"
"現在の勤務時間に満足していますか? (Are you satisfied with your current working hours?)"
"在宅勤務と出社、どちらが好きですか? (Do you prefer working from home or going to the office?)"
"勤務地はどこがいいですか? (Where would you like your work location to be?)"
"夜間勤務は大変ですか? (Is night duty difficult?)"
Journal Prompts
将来、どのような会社に勤務したいですか? (What kind of company do you want to work for in the future?)
理想的な勤務体系について書いてください。 (Write about your ideal work system.)
初めて勤務した日のことを覚えていますか? (Do you remember the day you first started working?)
在宅勤務のメリットとデメリットを挙げてください。 (List the pros and cons of working from home.)
あなたの国の勤務文化について説明してください。 (Explain the work culture in your country.)
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsTechnically yes, but it sounds very formal. Usually, 'arubaito o suru' is used. Use 'kinmu' only if filling out a formal application.
勤務先 (kinmusaki) is the official employer/company name. 職場 (shokuba) is the physical place where you do the work.
It is intransitive. It describes a state or action of the subject, usually taking 'ni' for the organization.
You can say '勤務中です' (Kinmu-chū desu).
No, 'kinmu' implies an institutional duty. Use 'furīransu de hataraku' instead.
It means 'working from home' or telecommuting.
It means 'shift work' where employees rotate schedules.
Yes, if you are focusing on the physical location (e.g., Tokyo de kinmu suru), but 'ni' is preferred for the organization.
It is the formal word for overtime (zan'gyō).
Yes, it is used for soldiers on duty or stationed at a base.
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Summary
勤務する (kinmu suru) is the professional standard for 'working' or 'being on duty.' Use it to sound formal and precise about your employment at a specific organization or your assigned shifts.
- Formal verb for 'to work' at an institution.
- Focuses on the state of being on duty or employed.
- Commonly used with the particle 'ni' for the workplace.
- Essential for business Japanese and formal documents.
Particle Choice
Use 'ni' for the company (ABC社に勤務) and 'de' for the city or specific room (東京で勤務).
Business Etiquette
In a job interview, always use 'kinmu shite orimasu' to describe your current role.
Noun Compounds
Learn 'kinmu' as a prefix for many work terms like 'kinmu-hyō' (schedule).
Duty vs. Action
Remember that 'kinmu' is about your shift and obligation, not the specific tasks you do.
Related Content
More work words
調整
A1The act of making small changes to something to achieve a desired fit, function, or balance. In a work context, it specifically refers to coordinating schedules or aligning different opinions to reach an agreement.
有利な
B1Advantageous or favorable.
承知する
B1To acknowledge, agree; to be aware of and consent to something.
年収
B1Annual income; yearly salary.
応募
B1To apply for a position, a competition, a prize, or a public offer. It indicates a proactive step to participate in something.
応募する
B1To apply for a job or position.
~と同時に
B1At the same time as, simultaneously with.
勤怠
B1Attendance record; presence or absence from work.
係員
A2Person in charge; attendant.
ぎんこういん
A2Bank employee.