What does 研 mean in Japanese?
研 means “polish, research” in Japanese. You will often see it in practical words such as 研究 (research), 研ぐ (to sharpen; to polish), and 研修 (training).
For learners, the key is to study 研 through real vocabulary. The examples below show how the kanji works in words, sentences, and related kanji.
Reading
On’yomi: ケン (ken)
Kun’yomi: と-ぐ (to-gu)
Basic Information
| Kanji | 研 |
|---|
How to Understand This Kanji
研 is not limited to one English translation. In 研究 (けんきゅう), it means research; in 研ぐ (とぐ), it points to to sharpen; to polish; and in 研修 (けんしゅう), it is used for training. Reading these compounds side by side helps you understand the range of the kanji.
Common Words
- 研究（けんきゅう / kenkyū） — research
- 研ぐ（とぐ / togu） — to sharpen; to polish
- 研修（けんしゅう / kenshū） — training
- 研磨（けんま / kenma） — polishing
- 研究者（けんきゅうしゃ / kenkyūsha） — researcher
- 研ぎ石（とぎいし / togiishi） — whetstone
Example Sentences
-
大学で歴史を研究しています。
だいがくでれきしをけんきゅうしています。 / Daigaku de rekishi o kenkyū shite imasu.
I am researching history at university.
-
研究室で資料を読みました。
けんきゅうしつでしりょうをよみました。 / Kenkyūshitsu de shiryō o yomimashita.
I read materials in the lab.
-
毎日日本語を研修で学びます。
まいにちにほんごをけんしゅうでまなびます。 / Mainichi Nihongo o kenshū de manabimasu.
I learn Japanese every day in training.
When Learners Usually See This Kanji
Start with 研究 (けんきゅう / kenkyū) because it keeps the core meaning of 研 clear. Then add 研ぐ and 研修 to see how the reading and meaning shift in real vocabulary. Do not memorize 研 as a single English word; connect it to actual words and example sentences.
Summary
研 means “polish, research” and appears in useful Japanese words such as 研究, 研ぐ, and 研修.