duty · work

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 務 refers to assigned work or duty; its on-reading is む.
• Basic usage: 勤務 refers to working at a workplace, while 義務 refers to a responsibility that must be fulfilled.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Employment and obligation
  • Working at a hospital is 勤務; having to return borrowed items is 義務. Distinguish work from obligation in these two words.
• A kun-reading pair
  • 務める focuses on taking and performing a role, while 務まる focuses on whether someone can handle that role.