Ichidan verb, intransitive verb

  1. to endeavor (to do), to endeavor, to try hard, to work hard, to strive, to make an effort, to exert oneself, to devote oneself, to be committed (to doing).

Variations

Pronunciation Kanji Kana Is Common
 
 
努める つとめる
 
 
勉める つとめる
 
 
力める つとめる

Contained Kanji Breakdown

toil, diligent, as much as possible
ド つと.める (4th, N3)
guy, slave, manservant
やつ ド やっこ (7th, N1)
woman, female
ジョ おんな め (1st, N5)
or again, furthermore, on the other hand
また ユウ やす (8th, N1)
power, strength, strong
リョク ちから リキ (1st, N4)