働きかける

• Reading: はたらきかける
• Romaji: hatarakikakeru
• Kanji breakdown: 働 (dō/hatara) — work, function; 掛 (ka) — apply, direct toward
• Pronunciation: /ha.ta.ɾa.ki.ka.ke.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To appeal to; to approach; to work on someone; to make overtures. Implies active, purposeful effort to influence or persuade.

A Group 2 (ichidan) compound verb from 働く (hataraku, to work/act) + かける (kakeru, to direct toward). The combination implies acting deliberately upon a specific target — a person, organisation, or system. Common in diplomatic, legal, and interpersonal contexts. Has a somewhat formal tone, implying calculated, sustained effort rather than casual persuasion.

Examples

1. 市民団体が政府に制度改革を求めて働きかけた。 A citizens' group appealed to the government for institutional reform.
2. 彼は何度も交渉相手に働きかけ、ようやく合意を取り付けた。 He repeatedly worked on the negotiating partner and finally secured an agreement.
3. 子供の教育に熱心に働きかけることが親の大切な役割だと思う。 I believe that actively engaging in a child's education is an important role for parents.

Usage Guide

Context: politics, negotiation, education, influence

Tone: purposeful

Origin & History

Compound of 働く (hataraku, to work/function, with origins in agricultural labour) and かける (kakeru, to apply force toward a target). The combination emerged in modern Japanese to describe purposeful, directed persuasion or sustained influence upon another party.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Universal