Yataraku

Yataraku is a Japanese verb that translates to "to work" or "to function." It encompasses a broad range of activities, from manual labor to intellectual pursuits, and can refer to both employment and the operation of something. The verb is commonly used in everyday conversation and written Japanese. It can describe a person performing their job, such as a salaryman working at his office, or the way a machine operates, like a computer functioning correctly. The context in which yataraku is used determines the specific nuance of its meaning. For instance, when referring to people, it often implies a sense of duty or purpose in their actions. When applied to inanimate objects, it emphasizes their operational state. The kanji characters used to write yataraku, 働く, literally mean "to labor" or "to exert oneself," reflecting the effort involved in work or functioning.