通勤

• Reading: つうきん
• Romaji: tsuukin
• Kanji breakdown: 通 (tsuu/tooru) — pass through, commute; 勤 (kin/tsutomeru) — work, serve
• Pronunciation: /tsɯː.kiɴ/

Meaning

Commuting to work; the daily journey between home and workplace.

A noun that functions as a suru verb (通勤する). An essential word for working life in Japan: 電車で通勤する (to commute by train), 通勤時間 (commute time), 通勤ラッシュ (rush-hour commute). Japan is well known for packed commuter trains, especially in Tokyo. The counterpart of 通学 (commuting to school).

Examples

1. 父は電車で会社に通勤している。 My father commutes to work by train.
2. 通勤ラッシュを避けるために早く出る。 I leave early to avoid the rush-hour commute.
3. 自宅から会社まで通勤に一時間かかる。 It takes one hour to commute from home to the office.

Usage Guide

Context: work, transportation, daily life

Tone: practical

Origin & History

Compound of 通 (tsuu, to commute/pass) and 勤 (kin, to work/serve). Together, 'commuting to serve/work' — the regular daily journey to one's place of employment.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Universal