Japanese word

こなす

Pronunciation

Romajikonasu

Meaning

  • verbhandle

Example

毎日、仕事をこなします。mai nichi shi goto o ko na shi ma su

I handle my work every day.

Illustration for こなす (handle)

More examples

複数の用事をこなせます。fuku sū no yō ji o ko na se ma su

I can take care of several errands.

Core concept

Describes taking on a task or workload and bringing it to a manageable completion through practical skill.

Common phrases

  • 仕事をこなすshi goto o ko na su

    get work done

  • 家事をこなすka ji o ko na su

    manage household chores

  • 用事をこなすyō ji o ko na su

    take care of errands

Similar words

片付けるkatazukeru: To finish a task or deal with a problem so that it is no longer pending.
処理するshorisuru: To deal with a task, request, or matter according to a required process.
済ませるsumaseru: To finish a task or duty within the available time.
さばくsabaku: To handle many tasks quickly and skillfully.

Definition in Japanese

与えられた仕事や役割を、手際よく処理して終える。ata e ra re ta shi goto ya yaku wari o te giwa yo ku sho ri shi te o e ru

Word origin

The native verb こなす (konasu) is traditionally explained through 粉す (konasu, "to make into powder"), whose sense of reducing something to a workable form connects with handling tasks skillfully.

Usage tips

  • In everyday conversation, こなす (konasu) often pairs with 仕事 (shigoto) or 用事 (yōji) when the focus is on getting several duties done efficiently.

Other meanings

  • digestverb

Opposites

  • 手こずるtekozurustruggleverb

Related words

  • こなしkonashihandlingnoun

Word lists with this word