働き

• Reading: はたらき
• Romaji: hataraki
• Kanji breakdown: 働 (dou/hatara) — work, labour (Japanese-made kanji)
• Pronunciation: /ha.ta.ɾa.ki/

Meaning

Work; labour; function; the act of working or a role performed.

A noun derived from the verb 働く (hataraku, to work). Has two main senses: the act of working/labour, and the function or role of something. Common expressions: 働き者 (hatarakimono, hard worker), 働きかける (hatarakikakeru, to appeal to/influence), 脳の働き (nou no hataraki, brain function). Distinguished from 仕事 (shigoto, job/task), 働き focuses on the action and effort of working itself.

Examples

1. 彼女は会社で一番の働き者だ。 She is the hardest worker in the company.
2. この薬は胃の働きを助ける。 This medicine helps with stomach function.
3. 政府に働きかけて制度を変えようとした。 They lobbied the government to change the system.

Usage Guide

Context: workplace, biology, social action

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Noun form of 働く. The kanji 働 is a Japanese-made character (国字) combining 亻 (person) and 動 (move), literally meaning 'a person who moves' — working.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal