strive

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 努 has seven strokes, the on-reading ど, and the kun-reading つとめる.
• Basic usage: It describes making an effort to reach a goal or improve a situation.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Verb and noun
  • 努める(つとめる) is the verb to strive, while 努力(どりょく) is the noun effort. 努力する can also describe the action.
• The goal of an effort
  • 質を高めるよう努める means striving to improve quality. It describes the effort toward improvement, distinct from a result already achieved.