A1 noun Neutral #2,932 most common

改善

kaizen [kaizeɴ]

The act of making a situation, system, or quality better than it was before. It is often used to describe positive changes in habits, business processes, or social conditions.

Examples

3 of 5
1

生活を改善するために、毎日運動をしています。

I exercise every day to improve my lifestyle.

2

政府は労働環境の改善を約束しました。

The government promised the improvement of the working environment.

3

食生活、もう少し改善したほうがいいよ。

You should improve your eating habits a bit more.

Word Family

Noun
改善
Verb
改善する
Related
改善策
💡

Memory Tip

Think of the world-famous Japanese business philosophy 'Kaizen'. 'Kai' (改) means change and 'Zen' (善) means good. Change for the good!

Quick Quiz

健康のために、食生活を___することにしました。

Correct!

The correct answer is: 改善

Examples

1

生活を改善するために、毎日運動をしています。

everyday

I exercise every day to improve my lifestyle.

2

政府は労働環境の改善を約束しました。

formal

The government promised the improvement of the working environment.

3

食生活、もう少し改善したほうがいいよ。

informal

You should improve your eating habits a bit more.

4

本研究では、既存のアルゴリズムの改善を試みた。

academic

In this study, we attempted to improve existing algorithms.

5

業務効率の改善について話し合いましょう。

business

Let's discuss improving business efficiency.

Word Family

Noun
改善
Verb
改善する
Related
改善策

Common Collocations

改善を試みる to attempt an improvement
品質の改善 improvement of quality
状況が改善する the situation improves
待遇の改善 improvement of treatment/working conditions
大幅な改善 drastic improvement

Common Phrases

改善の余地がある

there is room for improvement

抜本的な改善

drastic/fundamental improvement

継続的な改善

continuous improvement

Often Confused With

改善 vs 改良

Kairyō is specifically for physical objects or technology, whereas Kaizen is for abstract situations or systems.

改善 vs 修理

Shūri means fixing something broken, whereas Kaizen means making a functioning thing better.

📝

Usage Notes

It can be used as a standalone noun or as a suru-verb. It almost always carries a positive connotation of progress and optimization.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often use 'kaizen' when they mean they fixed a broken machine (which should be 'shūri' or 'naosu'). Remember, kaizen is for upgrading quality, not just repairing damage.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of the world-famous Japanese business philosophy 'Kaizen'. 'Kai' (改) means change and 'Zen' (善) means good. Change for the good!

📖

Word Origin

Derived from Middle Chinese, combining the characters for 'change/reform' and 'good/virtuous'.

Grammar Patterns

Noun + を改善する (to improve something) Noun + が改善する (something improves) 改善のための + Noun (Noun for the purpose of improvement)
🌍

Cultural Context

The word is famous globally as 'Kaizen,' a philosophy of continuous improvement used in the Toyota Production System and lean manufacturing.

Quick Quiz

健康のために、食生活を___することにしました。

Correct!

The correct answer is: 改善

Related Words

保護

A1

The act of keeping someone or something safe from harm, damage, or loss by providing care or creating boundaries. It is a versatile term in Japanese used for social welfare, environmental conservation, and digital security.

革命

A1

A fundamental and sudden change in political power or social structure, often involving a shift in governance. It also refers to a major, transformative shift in technology, thought, or a specific field that completely alters how things are done.

拡大

A1

The act of making something larger in size, scale, or scope. It is frequently used for physical enlargement (like a photo) or abstract growth (like a business or a problem).

販売

A1

The act of selling goods or services to customers, typically within a commercial or professional context. It refers to the business process of making items available for purchase.

取引

A1

A transaction or business deal involving the exchange of money, goods, or services. It refers to the process of doing business with another party or making a trade.

貯金

A1

The act of saving money or the amount of money saved, typically in a bank or a piggy bank. It refers to setting aside funds for future use rather than spending them immediately.

借金

A1

A sum of money that is borrowed from a person or an institution and is expected to be paid back. It refers to the state of owing money or the specific amount of debt accumulated.

利益

A1

Refers to the financial profit a company or individual makes after deducting expenses. It also describes a general benefit, advantage, or gain that someone receives from a situation or action.

損失

A1

A formal noun referring to the loss of something valuable, such as money, property, or time. It is commonly used in business or serious contexts to describe a reduction in value or a disadvantageous outcome.

予算

A1

A budget or an estimate of the amount of money available for a specific purpose. It refers to the financial plan or limit set before spending occurs in personal, business, or government contexts.

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