努 make an effort

奴 (servant / dood) Same-ON + 力 (strong)
★★★☆☆
7 strokes
DUPE

Onyomi

DO

Mnemonic

The servant has to DO a strong effort, or face the lash!

Kunyomi

つと*める make an effort (at improving your French, at quitting smoking, to be nice to your friend's douche boyfriend, etc.) , - Actualy, this is more in common with がんばるthan with the other two つとめるs.(勤めるand 務める) NP
★★★☆☆

Jukugo

努力(どりょく)

really grueling effort ★★★★☆
努 (make an effort) + 力 (strong) = 努力 (really grueling effort)

Lookalikes

Meaning Hint Radical
怒 get mad WOMAN 女
恐 dread CRAFTY 工
努 make an effort STRENGTH 力

The WOMAN gets mad, but I dread a CRAFTY man.
Making an effort takes all your STRENGTH.

Synonyms

to do your best, to try your hardest
一生懸命    努力    必死    奮闘   
work at something
努    務    勤