Kanji 働: work, (kokuji)

Key takeaways

Kanji 働: work, (kokuji). Readings and core meaning.

See vocabulary and examples below.

Kanji at a glance

働

Meaning

work(kokuji)

On reading

ドウ

Kun reading

はたら.く

Radical

人

Core meaning / core image

Core meaning: 働

work, (kokuji)

Kanji structure breakdown

働

Structure breakdown

亻 + 動

Mnemonic story

When a person (亻) moves (動) their body to perform a task, that is 'work.' Imagine a person constantly in motion while engaged in labor.

On'yomi and kun'yomi

On reading

ドウ

労働ろうどう
work / labor / toil

Kun reading

はたら.く

働くはたらく
to work

Commonly used words

労働
ろうどう
work / labor / toil
働く
はたらく
to work

Example sentences

Example 1

共働きの家庭が増えている。

Translation

The number of dual-income families is increasing.

Example 2

彼らは共働きで家計を支えている。

Translation

They support their household with dual incomes.

Example 3

彼の働きは会社に大切です。

Translation

His work is important to the company.

Example 4

心臓の働きを説明してください。

Translation

Please explain the function of the heart.

Kanji 働: work, (kokuji)

Kanji at a glance

Core meaning / core image

Kanji structure breakdown

Mnemonic story

On'yomi and kun'yomi

On reading

Kun reading

Commonly used words

Example sentences

共働き (ともばたらき): meaning and examples

働き (はたらき): meaning and examples

労働 (ろうどう): meaning and examples

働く (はたらく): meaning and examples