働く

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: In 働く (はたらく), work stem 働 plus inflecting く forms the verb for working or functioning.
• Basic usage: 働く applies both to a person working and to a machine, medicine, or force functioning or taking effect.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Labor and functional operation
  • 働いている presents that work or function as ongoing.