Onyomi: ケン · Kunyomi: と.ぐ · Meanings: polish, sharpen, study of
Kanji for polish, sharpen, study of
Fast lookup with examples and clean stroke-order visualization.
Experience 研 in 3D! View the complete 3D Kanji model to understand its shape and stroke depth from every angle. Click the button below to see 研 in 3D and explore how each stroke forms this character.
Please support us by sharing!
The kanji 研 combines the “stone” radical (石) with the character for “sharp” or “to polish” (幹 without the tree), symbolizing grinding or sharpening a stone. In ancient times, it represented sharpening tools or studying carefully. 研 came to mean study, research, or sharpen, capturing careful examination and improvement.
A stone being polished — 研 means study, research, or sharpen.
Imagine sharpening a stone or tool carefully — that’s 研, the kanji for research, study, and refining skills.
| Word | Reading | Meaning | Meta |
|---|---|---|---|
| 研究 | けんきゅう | research, study, investigation | common JLPT-N4 Noun, Suru verb, Transitive verb |
| 研究室 | けんきゅうしつ | laboratory | common JLPT-N4 Noun |
| 磨く | みがく | to polish, to shine, to burnish, to scour, to scrub, to brush (teeth), to grind (e.g. a lens) | common JLPT-N5 Godan verb with 'ku' ending, Transitive verb |
| 研修 | けんしゅう | training (esp. in-service), induction course | common JLPT-N2 Noun, Suru verb, Transitive verb |
| 研ぐ | とぐ | to sharpen, to hone, to whet, to grind | common JLPT-N1 Godan verb with 'gu' ending, Transitive verb |
| 研究者 | けんきゅうしゃ | researcher | common Noun |
| 磨き | みがき | polish, burnishing | common Noun |
| 研ぎ澄ます | とぎすます | to sharpen, to grind, to whet, to hone, to make keen | Godan verb with 'su' ending, Transitive verb |
| 研究所 | けんきゅうじょ | research institute, (research) laboratory | common Noun |
| 研究開発 | けんきゅうかいはつ | research and development, R&D | Noun |
| 研修生 | けんしゅうせい | trainee | Noun |
| 研究分野 | けんきゅうぶんや | research area, field of research | Noun |
| 研修医制度 | けんしゅういせいど | clinical internship system | Noun |
| 研究費 | けんきゅうひ | research funds, research expenses | Noun |
| 研究分担者 | けんきゅうぶんたんしゃ | member (of a research project) | Noun |