技術を磨く
polish skills
Littéralement: to polish (磨く) technique/skill (技術)
Use this to describe the intentional, hard work of turning a basic skill into mastery.
En 15 secondes
- Refining a skill through hard work and consistent practice.
- Used for professional crafts, hobbies, sports, and technical talents.
- Implies a 'craftsman spirit' of never-ending self-improvement.
Signification
Think of this as taking a rough skill you already have and rubbing away the edges until it sparkles. It’s about the dedicated, long-term effort you put into getting better at a craft, hobby, or professional talent.
Exemples clés
3 sur 6Discussing career goals in an interview
この会社で、エンジニアとしての技術を磨きたいと考えています。
I want to polish my skills as an engineer at this company.
Texting a friend about a hobby
週末はギターの技術を磨くのに忙しいよ！
I'm busy polishing my guitar skills this weekend!
Encouraging a teammate
一緒に練習して、お互いの技術を磨こう！
Let's practice together and polish each other's skills!
Contexte culturel
The phrase is deeply tied to the Japanese 'Monozukuri' (making things) philosophy. It emphasizes the 'process' over the 'result,' suggesting that the act of refining oneself is a lifelong journey. Historically, apprentices in traditional arts would spend years doing basic tasks just to 'polish' their foundational skills before being allowed to create.
The 'Ude' Alternative
If you want to sound a bit more 'down-to-earth' or talk about a physical craft, swap `技術` (gijutsu) for `腕` (ude - arm). Saying `腕を磨く` makes you sound like a cool veteran chef or athlete.
Don't Polish People
Remember, this is for *skills*. You can't 'polish' a person (`人を磨く` is rare and means self-improvement in a spiritual sense) or a physical object like a car with this specific nuance of 'improvement through practice.'
En 15 secondes
- Refining a skill through hard work and consistent practice.
- Used for professional crafts, hobbies, sports, and technical talents.
- Implies a 'craftsman spirit' of never-ending self-improvement.
What It Means
Imagine you have a piece of raw jade. It looks like a rock until you spend hours rubbing it. 技術を磨く is exactly that, but for your brain and hands. It’s not just 'learning' something new. It’s the process of refining a skill you already possess. You’re moving from 'I can do this' to 'I am a master of this.' It implies sweat, repetition, and a bit of soul.
How To Use It
You’ll usually see this paired with the particle を. You can say 技術を磨くために (in order to polish skills) or 技術を磨きたい (I want to polish my skills). It’s a very active phrase. You aren't just waiting for improvement; you are making it happen. It’s common in resumes, but just as common when talking about your weekend woodworking project.
When To Use It
Use this whenever you’re talking about serious improvement. If you’re at a restaurant and the chef is incredible, you might say they’ve really polished their skills. In a meeting, you might talk about how your team needs to polish their coding techniques. Even when texting a friend about a video game, if you’re practicing your aim, you’re 'polishing' that skill. It shows you take the activity seriously.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use this for things that don't require practice or refinement. You wouldn't 'polish your skills' at eating a sandwich or watching Netflix. Also, avoid using it for natural talents you haven't worked on. If you’re just naturally tall, you didn't 'polish' your height. It requires effort! Using it for something trivial might sound like you're trying too hard to be poetic, unless you're being funny.
Cultural Background
Japan has a deep-rooted 'Shokunin' (craftsman) culture. Whether it’s making sushi or high-tech robotics, there’s an obsession with perfection. This phrase reflects the idea that a skill is never truly 'finished.' There is always a higher level of shine to achieve. It’s closely tied to the concept of 'Do' (the Way), like in Kendo or Sado, where the practice itself is the goal.
Common Variations
A very popular sibling to this phrase is 腕を磨く (ude o migaku), which literally means 'polish your arm.' It’s used for physical skills like cooking, carpentry, or sports. While 技術 (gijutsu) sounds a bit more technical or professional, 腕 (ude) feels more personal and 'hands-on.' Use 技術 for your IT job and 腕 for your legendary home-made ramen.
Notes d'usage
This phrase is incredibly versatile and safe to use in almost any context. It sits in the 'neutral' sweet spot—not too stiff for friends, not too casual for your boss.
The 'Ude' Alternative
If you want to sound a bit more 'down-to-earth' or talk about a physical craft, swap `技術` (gijutsu) for `腕` (ude - arm). Saying `腕を磨く` makes you sound like a cool veteran chef or athlete.
Don't Polish People
Remember, this is for *skills*. You can't 'polish' a person (`人を磨く` is rare and means self-improvement in a spiritual sense) or a physical object like a car with this specific nuance of 'improvement through practice.'
The Infinite Polish
In Japan, saying you are 'polishing your skills' is a sign of humility. It suggests you aren't perfect yet, no matter how good you actually are. It's the ultimate 'always be a student' vibe.
Exemples
6この会社で、エンジニアとしての技術を磨きたいと考えています。
I want to polish my skills as an engineer at this company.
A classic, professional way to show ambition and a growth mindset.
週末はギターの技術を磨くのに忙しいよ！
I'm busy polishing my guitar skills this weekend!
Shows you're dedicated to your hobby in a cool, focused way.
一緒に練習して、お互いの技術を磨こう！
Let's practice together and polish each other's skills!
Very motivating and collaborative use of the phrase.
毎日自炊して、卵焼きを作る技術を磨きすぎた。
I cooked for myself every day and polished my tamagoyaki-making skills way too much.
Using a serious phrase for something specific like an omelet adds a touch of humor.
彼の職人としての技術を磨き続ける姿勢には感動します。
I am moved by his attitude of constantly polishing his skills as a craftsman.
Expresses deep respect for someone's dedication.
シュートの技術を磨くために、毎日100回練習している。
I practice 100 times every day to polish my shooting technique.
Focuses on a specific technical aspect of a sport.
Teste-toi
Choose the correct word to complete the phrase about improving your coding skills.
プログラミングの___を磨くために、毎日コードを書いています。
技術 (gijutsu) means 'skill' or 'technique,' which is the standard object for 'polishing' in a professional context.
Which verb correctly completes the collocation for 'polishing' one's skills?
もっと料理の腕を___たいです。
The verb 磨く (migaku) is the specific collocation used for refining skills or 'arms' (ude).
🎉 Score : /2
Aides visuelles
Formality of 'Gijutsu o Migaku'
Used with friends about hobbies like gaming or drawing.
ゲームの技術を磨くわ。
Standard way to talk about self-improvement.
技術を磨くことは大切です。
Common in business speeches or job applications.
貴社にて技術を磨きたく存じます。
Where to Polish Your Skills
At the Gym
Polishing your lifting form.
At the Office
Refining your presentation style.
In the Kitchen
Mastering knife skills.
Art Studio
Perfecting brush strokes.
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsAbsolutely! You can say 語学の技術を磨く (polishing language skills), though people often just say 語学力を磨く (polishing language ability).
Yes, it's very appropriate. It shows you are proactive. For example: 技術を磨く努力を怠りません (I will not neglect efforts to polish my skills).
Renshu is the act of practicing. Migaku is the *purpose* or the *result* of that practice—the refinement aspect.
Yes, specifically for technical things like ドリブルの技術を磨く (polishing dribbling technique).
No, gijutsu covers everything from AI programming to the way you flip a pancake. It just means 'technique' or 'skill.'
You use 技術を磨いた (gijutsu o migaita). For example: 留学して技術を磨いた (I polished my skills by studying abroad).
Yes, コミュニケーション技術を磨く (polishing communication skills) is a very common phrase in self-help and business.
Not at all! It actually sounds humble because it implies you are still a 'work in progress.'
There isn't a direct opposite, but 腕がなまる (ude ga namaru) means your skills have become 'dull' or 'rusty' from lack of use.
Yes, teachers often encourage students to 技術を磨く in clubs like art, music, or sports.
Expressions liées
腕を磨く
To polish one's 'arm' (physical/practical skill).
精進する
To devote oneself to improvement (more formal/spiritual).
切磋琢磨する
To work hard and compete with others to improve together.
腕を上げる
To improve one's skill (the result of polishing).
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