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What is the Kanji for 'Toil'? | 努

If you are wondering what is the Japanese Kanji for 'Toil', you've come to the right place!

The Japanese Kanji for 'Toil' is 努.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Toil

    Reading

    kunyomiつと

    tsuto

    onyomi

    do

    Parts

    Servant, Dude Power

    Example Word

    努める: strive. The Japanese verb '努める (つとめる)' means 'to strive' or 'to make an effort'. It is used to describe putting in effort or working diligently toward a goal. This verb is often used in formal or serious contexts, such as work, studies, or personal improvement. For example: I strive to improve my skills「私はスキルを向上させるよう努めています」(わたしはすきるをこうじょうさせるようつとめています). He strives to be a good father「彼は良い父親になるよう努めている」(かれはよいちちおやになるようつとめている). Note that '努める' can also imply a sense of duty or responsibility in the effort being made.

    Radical

    Stroke Count

    7

    JLPT

    N3

    Grade

    4

    Frequency

    1066

    Handwriting

Parts of the Kanji

If you visually break down this kanji, you can see it is made up of 2 parts:

    kanji

    Meaning

    Servant, Dude

    kanji

    Meaning

    Power

Words Using

This kanji is used in 2 words:

    word

    努力

    Meaning

    Effort

    word

    努める

    Meaning

    Strive

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 19 kanji contain the part 力 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Man

    kanji

    Meaning

    Exertion

    kanji

    Meaning

    Move

    kanji

    Meaning

    Merit, Achievement

    kanji

    Meaning

    Join, Add

    kanji

    Meaning

    Effective

    kanji

    Meaning

    Diligence

    kanji

    Meaning

    Labor

    kanji

    Meaning

    Help

    kanji

    Meaning

    Power, Force

    kanji

    Meaning

    Strive, Encourage

    kanji

    Meaning

    Raise, Recruit

    kanji

    Meaning

    Childhood, Infancy

    kanji

    Meaning

    Inferior, Inferiority

    kanji

    Meaning

    Urge, Recommend

    kanji

    Meaning

    Investigate, Censure

    kanji

    Meaning

    Check, Intuition

    kanji

    Meaning

    Imperial order, Imperial decree

    kanji

    Meaning

    Rise, Suddenness

Learn the Kanji

Let's make sure you fully understand this kanji.

What does 努 mean?

努 means 'Toil'.

Japanese school students learn this kanji in Fourth Grade, while non-native learners often study it for the JLPT N3 exam.

To help you master this kanji, here's an interactive lesson where you'll practice its readings and meanings.