How to say "improve" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 持ち直すもちなおすgodan verb, intransitive verbImprove in the sense of rallying: a situation, trend or condition that had been slipping recovers and picks up, so using it implies a prior downturn that is now reversing.
- 開けるひらけるichidan verb, intransitive verbUsed when luck, prospects or the like improve: one's fortunes brighten and the future opens up, as when things finally start going someone's way.
- 磨くみがくgodan verb, transitive verbImprove here means deliberately bettering something, above all a skill: you refine, hone or polish an ability, so the improvement comes from your own effort rather than chance.
- 怠るおこたるgodan verb, intransitive verbA dated word for an illness improving — getting better, easing off. Because it is dated, this is seldom the word you want for 'improve'; recognize it rather than reach for it.
- 上向くうわむくgodan verb, intransitive verbImprove as an upward turn: a trend, situation or condition bends upward and rises, so improvement is pictured as movement from lower to higher.
Use 「持ち直す」 for a situation recovering after decline, 「上向く」 for a trend turning upward, 「磨く」 for honing a skill, 「開ける」 for luck or prospects brightening, and 「怠る」 only as a dated word for an illness improving.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
- 持ち直すもちなおすto recover
- 快方に赴くかいほうにおもむくto improve
- 腕が上がるうでがあがるto gain in skill
- よくなるto become better
- よくするto make good
- 開けるひらけるto improve (of luck, prospects, etc.)
- 進むすすむto make progress
- 磨くみがくto refine (a skill, etc.)
- 怠るおこたるto improve (of an illness)
- 上向くうわむくto improve
- 直るなおるto return to normal
- 改めるあらためるto reform
- 引き立つひきたつto look better
- 一皮むけるひとかわむけるto improve
- 上がるあがるto improve
- あげるto develop (talent, skill, etc.)
- 見直すみなおすto improve
- 伸びるのびるto make progress
- 手を挙げるてをあげるto become better (at something)
See also
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