How to say "drill" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 練習れんしゅうnoun, suru verb, transitive verbFor 'drill' as repeated practice to build a skill — sports, music, language drills — this is the word you want; it simply means practicing something over and over until you improve.
- 訓練くんれんnoun, suru verb, transitive verb'Drill' in the sense of systematic training: instilling a skill or discipline through structured instruction, as in military, athletic, or workplace training. More formal and purposeful than 練習.
- nounThe tool: a drill or drill bit for boring holes. When 'drill' means the hardware — the power tool or the bit that goes in it — this is the word, not any practice term.
- 演習えんしゅうnoun, suru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verbA formally organized exercise or drill simulating a real situation — an emergency evacuation drill, a military exercise — rather than casual practice to build a skill.
- 修練しゅうれんnoun, suru verb, transitive verbTraining as earnest, long-term self-cultivation — honing mind or craft through disciplined practice. For an ordinary drill or practice exercise this is seldom the word you want.
Use 「ドリル」 only for the tool; 練習 for repeated practice to build skill; 訓練 for systematic training and discipline; 演習 for formal organized exercises such as emergency or military drills; 修練 for earnest self-cultivation rather than ordinary drills.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
- 練習れんしゅうpractice
- 訓練くんれんtraining
- ドリルdrill bit
- 演習えんしゅうpractice
- 修練しゅうれんtraining
- 実習じっしゅうpractice (in the field)
- 教え込むおしえこむto teach thoroughly
- 錐きりdrill
- 穿つうがつto drill
- 教練きょうれんdrill
- 操練そうれんdrill (esp. military)
- 試錐機しすいきdrill (for boring)
- 演練えんれんdrill
- 軍事訓練ぐんじくんれんmilitary exercise
- くり抜くくりぬくto gouge out
- 練習を積むれんしゅうをつむto practice
- 鍛えるきたえるto drill
- 練るねるto train
See also
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