努める・勉める・力める|つとめるtsutomeru[3]nakadaka (mid-high)
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Which spelling to use
努める努める（つとめる） is the most common written form and the one beginners should use. It is written with kanji and kana and expresses making a strong effort.
勉める勉める（つとめる） is a rarely used written alternative to 努める（つとめる）. You will seldom encounter it, so choose 努める（つとめる） instead.
力める力める（つとめる） is a rarely used written alternative to 努める（つとめる）. You will seldom encounter it, so choose 努める（つとめる） instead.
Definitions
- ichidan verb, intransitive verbto endeavor (to do); to endeavour; to try hard; to work hard; to strive; to make an effort; to exert oneself; to devote oneself; to be committed (to doing)
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 努める（つとめる） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 努めます（つとめます） |
| Negative (nai) | 努めない（つとめない） |
| polite (masen) | 努めません（つとめません） |
| classical zu / nu | 努めず・努めぬ（つとめず・つとめぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 努めた（つとめた） |
| polite (mashita) | 努めました（つとめました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 努めなかった（つとめなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 努めませんでした（つとめませんでした） |
| Te form | 努めて（つとめて） |
| Potential | 努められる（つとめられる） |
| Passive | 努められる（つとめられる） |
| Causative | 努めさせる（つとめさせる） |
| Causative passive | 努めさせられる（つとめさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 努めれば（つとめれば） |
| tara | 努めたら（つとめたら） |
| Volitional | 努めよう（つとめよう） |
| polite (mashou) | 努めましょう（つとめましょう） |
| Imperative | 努めろ（つとめろ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym努力どりょくNeutralA noun for effort itself and the most common everyday word; 「努める」 is a verb and leans toward written or formal use.
- Synonym尽力じんりょくWrittenA written word for exerting effort on behalf of others or a cause, as in 「ご尽力」; 「努める」 focuses on one's own effort.
- Synonym励むはげむNeutralTo work diligently at something, as in 「勉強に励む」; emphasizes sustained, ongoing dedication.
- Synonym奮励ふんれいWrittenA written word for rousing oneself to strenuous effort, seen mainly in exhortations or directives.
- SynonymいそしむWrittenTo devote oneself diligently to something, as in 「家事に勤しむ」, with an appreciative tone; a written word.
- Related心がけるこころがけるNeutralTo keep something in mind and strive to do it, emphasizing daily habits; 「努める」 stresses the effort of doing it.
- Related尽くすつくすNeutralTo exhaust one's strength in effort or service, as in 「全力を尽くす」.
- Related力行りっこうWrittenA written word for putting things into practice oneself, seen in set phrases like 「努力力行」.
- Related気張るきばるCasualColloquial: to strain and grit one's teeth through something; also used for spending big money.
- Antonym怠けるなまけるNeutralTo be lazy or neglect what one should do; the opposite of hard-working 「努める」.
- AntonymサボるCasualColloquial for skipping class or work and slacking off; the opposite of 「努める」.
Use 「努める」 for striving hard or doing one's best; the noun 「努力」 covers effort itself. 「励む」 suits diligent dedication, 「尽力」 helping others, 「心がける」 making a habit of something, and 「怠ける」 slacking off.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also
