研磨・研摩|けんまkenma[1]atamadaka (head-high)
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Which spelling to use
研磨研磨 is the more common written form, used for grinding, polishing, and figurative refining or applying oneself to study; it is written entirely in kanji.
研摩研摩 is a rarely used kanji-only variant of 研磨; learners will seldom need to choose it when writing the word.
Definitions
- noun, suru verb, transitive verbgrinding; polishing
- noun, suru verb, transitive verbrefining (a skill, knowledge, etc.); applying oneself (to study); disciplining oneself
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 研磨する（けんまする） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 研磨します（けんまします） |
| Negative (nai) | 研磨しない（けんましない） |
| polite (masen) | 研磨しません（けんましません） |
| classical zu / nu | 研磨せず・研磨せぬ（けんませず・けんませぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 研磨した（けんました） |
| polite (mashita) | 研磨しました（けんましました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 研磨しなかった（けんましなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 研磨しませんでした（けんましませんでした） |
| Te form | 研磨して（けんまして） |
| Potential | 研磨できる（けんまできる） |
| Passive | 研磨される（けんまされる） |
| Causative | 研磨させる（けんまさせる） |
| Causative passive | 研磨させられる（けんまさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 研磨すれば（けんますれば） |
| tara | 研磨したら（けんましたら） |
| Volitional | 研磨しよう（けんましよう） |
| polite (mashou) | 研磨しましょう（けんましましょう） |
| Imperative | 研磨しろ（けんましろ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym研ぐとぐNeutralA verb for sharpening blades or washing rice, focusing on sharpness or rinsing. 「研磨」 mostly means grinding and polishing a surface, or honing a skill.
- Synonym磨くみがくNeutralThe most widely used verb: polishing things until they shine, but also brushing teeth and refining a skill or technique.
- Related摩するまするWrittenA literary verb meaning to rub hard or press close; rare even in writing, as in 「天を摩する」.
- Antonym荒削りあらけずりNeutralRoughly hewn and not yet finished — the opposite of fine 「研磨」; also used figuratively for immature, unpolished work or talent.
- Antonym未研磨WrittenA written term meaning not yet ground or polished; the direct opposite of 「研磨」, used in descriptive or technical contexts.
Use 「研磨」 for grinding or polishing a surface, or for honing a skill, as in 「研磨剤」 and 「レンズを研磨する」. To sharpen a blade or wash rice, say 「研ぐ」; for polishing things or refining a skill, the everyday verb is 「磨く」. The opposite of fine 「研磨」 is 「荒削り」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
