Japanese word

研ぐ

Pronunciation

Romajitogu

Meaning

  • verbsharpen

Example

毎朝、包丁を研ぎます。mai asa hō chō o to gi ma su

Every morning, I sharpen my kitchen knife.

Illustration for 研ぐ (sharpen)

More examples

切れ味が落ちた包丁を、砥石で研ぎます。ki re aji ga o chi ta hō chō o to ishi de to gi ma su

I sharpen the kitchen knife with a whetstone because it has become dull.

Core concept

Describes refining a blade's edge until it cuts cleanly and effectively.

Common phrases

  • 包丁を研ぐhō chō o to gu

    sharpen a kitchen knife

  • 砥石で研ぐto ishi de to gu

    sharpen with a whetstone

Similar words

磨くmigaku: To make a surface smooth by rubbing it, often to improve its finish.
研磨するkenmasuru: To grind a material with an abrasive to smooth or shape its surface.

Definition in Japanese

刃物などの刃を削って鋭くする。ha mono na do no ha o kezu tte surudo ku su ru

Word origin

研ぐ (togu) is a native Japanese verb rather than a Sino-Japanese compound, and its recorded older form とぐ (togu) carries the same basic meaning of sharpening.

Usage tips

  • In the expression 感覚を研ぎ澄ます (kankaku o togisumasu), 研ぐ (togu) extends the act of sharpening a blade to making one's senses keen.

Other meanings

  • honeverb
  • grindverb

Opposites

Related words

  • 研ぎ方togikataway of sharpeningnoun
  • 研ぎ師togishisharpenernoun

Word lists with this word