Word Detail

The Japanese word 事務 （じむ) primarily means "office work," "clerical work," "administration," or "business affairs." It refers to the routine tasks and processes involved in managing an organization, company, or institution. This can include tasks like data entry, record-keeping, correspondence, managing files, and other administrative duties. It focuses on the behind-the-scenes operations that support the core activities of a business or organization. It does not encompass sales or customer service, which can have different words.

⚫︎彼は会社の事務を担当しています。 Translation: He is in charge of the office work at the company. ⚫︎事務の経験がありません。 Translation: I have no experience in office work. ⚫︎事務の効率化を図る。 Translation: To aim for efficiency in office work.

You can use 事務 in various contexts when discussing office-related work or administrative tasks. It's suitable for both formal and informal settings, although its usage is more common in professional environments. You can use it when talking about job roles, describing administrative processes, or discussing the organization's behind-the-scenes operations. It's often used when talking about departments, for example 事務課 (the office administration department).

事務 is written in kanji. The reading is じむ in hiragana. There are no other common ways to write this word. The okurigana is standard.

⚫︎事務仕事 (じむしごと) - Office work, clerical work ⚫︎庶務 (しょむ) - General affairs, clerical work (can be similar, but also encompassing a wider variety of tasks) ⚫︎管理 (かんり) - Management, administration ⚫︎業務 (ぎょうむ) - Business, operations, duties (broader term)

While there isn't a direct single antonym for 事務, words related to other areas of work can serve as contrasts: ⚫︎営業 (えいぎょう) - Sales, business ⚫︎技術 (ぎじゅつ) - Technology, technical skills ⚫︎研究 (けんきゅう) - Research

彼女は事務の仕事に慣れてきました。 ・Translation: She has gotten used to the office work. ・Explanation: This sentence describes someone becoming familiar with the day-to-day tasks of administrative work.

新しい事務システムを導入しました。 ・Translation: We introduced a new administrative system. ・Explanation: This sentence discusses the implementation of a new system to improve office operations.

事務 is a compound word formed from two kanji: ⚫︎事 (じ): meaning "affair," "matter," or "business." ⚫︎務 (む/つと-める): meaning "duty," "service," or "to be engaged in." Together, they combine to create the meaning of "business affairs," "administrative work," or "office work."