練る・煉る・錬る・邌る|ねるneru[1]atamadaka (head-high)
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Which spelling to use
練る練る（ねる） is the most common written form; beginners should use it as their default written form.
煉る煉る（ねる） is a rarely used kanji-and-kana variant. Learners may encounter it, but seldom need to write it.
錬る錬る（ねる） is a rarely used kanji-and-kana variant. Learners may encounter it, but 練る（ねる） is the better choice.
邌る邌る（ねる） is a rarely used kanji-and-kana variant. Learners may encounter it, but beginners should use 練る（ねる） instead.
Definitions
- godan verb, transitive verbto knead; to thicken into a paste (stirring over a flame)
- godan verb, transitive verbto polish (a plan, etc.); to refine; to elaborate; to work out
- godan verb, transitive verbto train; to drill; to exercise
- godan verb, transitive verbto gloss (silk); to soften; to degum
- godan verb, transitive verbto tan (leather)
- godan verb, transitive verbto temper (steel)
- godan verb, intransitive verbto walk in procession; to parade; to march
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 練る（ねる） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 練ります（ねります） |
| Negative (nai) | 練らない（ねらない） |
| polite (masen) | 練りません（ねりません） |
| classical zu / nu | 練らず・練らぬ（ねらず・ねらぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 練った（ねった） |
| polite (mashita) | 練りました（ねりました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 練らなかった（ねらなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 練りませんでした（ねりませんでした） |
| Te form | 練って（ねって） |
| Potential | 練れる（ねれる） |
| Passive | 練られる（ねられる） |
| Causative | 練らせる（ねらせる） |
| Causative passive | 練らせられる・練らされる（ねらせられる・ねらされる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 練れば（ねれば） |
| tara | 練ったら（ねったら） |
| Volitional | 練ろう（ねろう） |
| polite (mashou) | 練りましょう（ねりましょう） |
| Imperative | 練れ（ねれ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Related練り上げるねりあげるNeutralCovers kneading well and, figuratively, refining a plan or text to completion, as in 「計画を練り上げる」. Stresses the finished result — more thorough than 「練る」.
- Related捏ね上げるこねあげるNeutralThorough kneading, but often used for making up or fabricating stories — leans toward the fabrication sense.
- RelatedこねるNeutralPhysical kneading only — dough or clay, as in 「粘土を捏ねる」 — with no sense of refining a plan; also quibbling or pestering, as in 「理屈をこねる」.
- Relatedこね回すこねまわすCasualColloquial: kneading over and over, or making a matter complicated or a mess; carries a negative nuance.
- Relatedこね返すこねかえすCasualColloquial: kneading back and forth or stirring things into confusion; close in use to 「こね回す」.
- Relatedこねくり回すこねくりまわすCasualColloquial: repeatedly kneading or fiddling with something; suggests casual, idle handling.
For kneading dough, simmering into a paste, or working out a plan, use 「練る」: 「生地を練る」, 「作戦を練る」. For thorough refinement say 「練り上げる」; for kneading by hand say 「捏ねる」. The こね- forms are colloquial.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
