Japanese Conversation · Level 125
60 words
Japanese word
公務
Pronunciation
Romajikōmu
Meaning
- nounofficial business
Example
父は公務で東京へ行きます。chichi wa kō mu de tō kyō e i ki ma su
My father goes to Tokyo on official business.
More examples
議員は公務を終えて、帰宅します。gi in wa kō mu o o e te ki taku shi ma su
The lawmaker finishes official business and goes home.
Core concept
It refers to work carried out for a public institution or as an official responsibility, not for personal business.
Common phrases
公務のためkō mu no ta me
for official business
公務中kō mu chū
during official business
Similar words
職務shokumu: The duties and responsibilities that belong to a person's job or official role.
業務gyōmu: Work and tasks performed as part of an organization's regular activities.
Definition in Japanese
国や自治体などの公的な立場で担当する仕事。kuni ya ji chi tai na do no kō teki na tachi ba de tan tō su ru shi goto
Word origin
The Sino-Japanese compound joins 公 (kō, "public") with 務 (mu, "duty"), so its parts point to duties connected with the public sphere.
Usage tips
- The English phrase official business often describes the reason for a trip or task, while 公務 (kōmu) specifically highlights its public or official nature.
Other meanings
- public dutiesnoun