Japanese

める

つとめる
Meaning: to strive; to endeavor; to make an effort
Part of Speech: Verb

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Verb inflections

Form Affirmative Negative
Present 努める 努めない
Polite 努めます 努めません
Past 努めた 努めなかった
Polite + Past 努めました 努めませんでした
Te-form 努めて 努めなくて
Potential 努められる 努められない
Passive 努められる 努められない
Causative 努めさせる 努めさせない
Imperative 努めろ 努めるな

Example sentences

毎日、仕事を早く終わらせるよう努めている。
I strive to finish my work early every day.
彼は悪い仲間を遠ざけるように努めた。
He tried to keep bad company away.
忌まわしい記憶を忘れようと努めた。
I tried to forget the unpleasant memories.
今後は更なるサービス向上に努める所存でございます。
We intend to strive for further service improvement in the future.
不肖の身ではございますが、精一杯努めさせていただきます。
Although I am inexperienced, I will do my absolute best.

Usage Notes

Refers to exerting effort toward a goal. Often used as '~よう努める' (strive to...).

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