務

Phono-semantic compound derived from its ancient form 敄 (U+6544), consisting of:

敄 (무) — phonetic element, representing sound and also implying “to act or do.”

力 (힘 력) — semantic element, meaning “strength” or “force.”

Thus, the original meaning was “to apply one’s strength in doing something,” which evolved into “to exert effort, to work diligently.”

業務 (업무) — work; business; duty

公務 (공무) — public service; official duty

事務 (사무) — affairs; business; clerical work

農務 (농무) — agricultural work

商務 (상무) — commercial affairs; trade

勤務 (근무) — to be on duty; to work

職務 (직무) — position; job responsibility

學務 (학무) — academic affairs; educational administration

努力務學 (노력무학) — to strive hard in study

務實 (무실) — practical; realistic (“devoted to concrete effort”)

務必 (무필) — must; without fail

務農 (무농) — to engage in agriculture

務工 (무공) — to work as a laborer

In early Chinese texts, 務 referred to earnest personal exertion — not merely physical labor but dedicated application of mind and will.

It appears frequently in the Analects (論語) and Mencius (孟子) to denote responsible diligence and purposeful striving.

「君子務本，本立而道生。」

“The noble man devotes himself to the root; when the root is established, the Way grows.” — Analects 1:2

Here, 務 embodies the Confucian ideal of attending diligently to the fundamentals — cultivating one’s moral base before seeking outward achievement.

In Legalist and administrative writings, 務 evolved to mean “official duties” or “affairs of governance.”

By the Han dynasty, it was used for public and private offices — a meaning preserved in modern compounds like 公務 (“public duty”) and 事務 (“affairs”).

務 symbolizes purposeful effort and responsibility — the disciplined use of strength (力) toward meaningful ends.

It expresses the balance between intention (志) and action (行) — to will something earnestly and to labor for it persistently.

「務者，盡力也。」

“To mu (務) is to exhaust one’s strength” — Shuowen Jiezi (說文解字).

The essence of 務 is not mere busyness but directed effort — energy guided by clarity of purpose.

務 teaches the value of wholehearted engagement:

to apply one’s energy with focus and sincerity, whether in learning, governance, or daily life.

「專心而務，雖難必成。」

“If one focuses and strives, even what is difficult will surely be accomplished.”

Thus, 務 stands as a character of diligence, purpose, and devotion — the act of transforming will into effort, and effort into accomplishment.