通勤 vs. 出勤: Similar Words with Subtle Differences
What is the difference between “通勤” and “出勤“? They have subtle differences. Is the meaning of “to go to work” “通勤” or “出勤“? Let me introduce what their subtle differences are and how you correctly use them such as native speakers today!
通勤 (tsuukin)
Commute / 通勤 / 통근 / Đi làm
“通勤” means “commute” and which has been used as the meaning of “to make the same journey regularly between work and home”. “通勤” is a noun and “通勤する” is a verb. The basic way to use them is “通勤___” such as “通勤時間(the commute time)” and “___で通勤する” such as “電車で通勤します(I commute to work by rail.)”.


Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced



出勤 (shukkin)
Go to work / 出勤 / 출근 / Tới nơi làm
“出勤” means “Go to work” and which has been used as the meaning of “to leave the house to go to the workplace”. “出勤” is a noun, such as “出勤日(a working day)” and “出勤する” is a verb such “出勤します(I go to work.). Although you would also use “会社へ行く” as “出勤する”, it sounds pretty childish in business situations. However, between your friends, “会社へ行くね(I go to work.)” would be fine instead of “出勤するね(I go to work.)”.




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