Japanese word

練る

Pronunciation

Romajineru

Meaning

  • verbknead

Example

パンの生地を練ります。pa n no ki ji o ne ri ma su

I knead the bread dough.

Illustration for 練る (knead)

More examples

粘土を手で練りました。nen do o te de ne ri ma shi ta

I kneaded the clay by hand.

Core concept

Expresses the process of working something over and over so that it becomes smoother, thicker, or more fully developed, including both substances and plans.

Common phrases

  • 生地を練るki ji o ne ru

    knead dough

  • 粘土を練るnen do o ne ru

    knead clay

Similar words

こねるkoneru: To press and fold a soft substance repeatedly to give it an even texture.

Definition in Japanese

材料を繰り返しこねたり混ぜたりして、全体をなめらかにし、粘りや濃さを加える。zai ryō o ku ri kae shi ko ne ta ri ma ze ta ri shi te zen tai o na me ra ka ni shi neba ri ya ko sa o kuwa e ru

Word origin

練る (neru, "to knead; to thicken") is a native Japanese verb with no separate compound elements; its meanings center on working something repeatedly until its quality or consistency improves.

Usage tips

  • The cooking use of 練る (neru) covers mixtures that are stirred and worked to develop a thick texture, not only bread dough that is physically kneaded.

Other meanings

  • thickenverb

Related words

  • 練り方nerikataway of kneadingnoun

Word lists with this word