Translation and Meaning of: 勤め先 - tsutomesaki

If you are studying Japanese or are curious about the language, you may have come across the word 勤め先 (つとめさき). It frequently appears in professional and everyday contexts, but its meaning goes beyond a simple translation. In this article, we will explore what this word represents, its origin, how it is used in Japan, and tips for memorizing it correctly. If you want to understand how the Japanese refer to the workplace naturally, keep reading.

The meaning and use of 勤め先

勤め先 (つとめさき) is a compound word made up of the kanji 勤める (つとめる), which means "to work" or "to serve," and 先 (さき), which can indicate "place" or "destination." Together, they form the term that refers to the "workplace" or "company where someone is employed." Unlike 仕事場 (しごとば), which indicates the physical space of work, 勤め先 has a more formal tone and encomes the institution as a whole.

In Japan, this word is often used in everyday conversations and official documents. For example, when filling out a form or introducing oneself, it is common to say 私の勤め先は... (わたしのつとめさきは...), indicating where you work. It carries a sense of commitment and employment connection, being less used for temporary or informal jobs.

The origin and structure of kanjis

The etymology of 勤め先 traces back to the kanji that compose it. 勤 (キン, つとめる) comes from ancient Chinese and carries the idea of diligence and service, while 先 (セン, さき) represents a place or direction. This combination reflects the Japanese culture of valuing dedication to work and belonging to an organization. There are no significant dialectal variations in pronunciation, but the term is more common in formal s.

An interesting fact is that 勤める can also be used in non-professional contexts, such as serving in a temple (お寺に勤める). However, 勤め先 almost always refers to conventional jobs. Japanese learners may associate the kanji 勤 with words like 勤務 (きんむ - service) or 通勤 (つうきん - commuting to work) to reinforce memorization.

Tips for using 勤め先 correctly

To avoid confusion, that 勤め先 is not interchangeable with like 職場 (しょくば), which refers to the physical work environment. Use it when you want to mention the company or organization itself, especially in bureaucratic contexts or when talking about a career. For example: 新しい勤め先が決まりました (あたらしいつとめさきがきまりました) means "I decided on my new workplace."

If you want to practice, try creating simple sentences like 勤め先はどこですか？ (つとめさきはどこですか？ - "Where do you work?"). This construction is natural and useful in conversations. Avoid using it for freelance jobs or side gigs, as it would sound strange. In those cases, 仕事 (しごと) or アルバイト (arubaito) are more appropriate.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 職場 (shokuba) - Workplace, that is, the place where an employee carries out their professional activities.
• 勤務先 (kinmusaki) - Workplace, emphasizing the institution or company where one is employed.
• 就業先 (shūgyōsaki) - Workplace, focusing on the type of work performed.
• 事業所 (jigyōsho) - Commercial establishment or office, referring to the physical location of a company or business unit.