Japanese word

鍛える

Pronunciation

Romajikitaeru

Meaning

  • verbwork out

Example

週末に体を鍛えます。shū matsu ni karada o kita e ma su

I work out on weekends.

Illustration for 鍛える (work out)

More examples

仕事で使う技術を鍛えるために、毎週新しい課題に取り組みます。shi goto de tsuka u gi jutsu o kita e ru ta me ni mai shū atara shi i ka dai ni to ri ku mi ma su

I work on a new challenge every week to hone the skills I use at work.

Core concept

Describes steadily developing the strength or ability needed to perform better through repeated effort.

Common phrases

  • 体を鍛えるkarada o kita e ru

    work out

  • 筋肉を鍛えるkin niku o kita e ru

    strengthen one's muscles

  • 心身を鍛えるshin shin o kita e ru

    train the body and mind

Similar words

練習するrenshūsuru: To practice a skill repeatedly to improve performance.
訓練するkunrensuru: To build a person's ability through planned practice for a specific purpose.
磨くmigaku: To improve a skill or quality through continued practice and refinement.

Definition in Japanese

体や技術などを繰り返し練習して、能力を高める。karada ya gi jutsu na do o ku ri kae shi ren shū shi te nō ryoku o taka me ru

Word origin

鍛える (kitaeru) is the modern form of the native verb 鍛ふ (kitau), which originally meant to forge metal and later developed the sense of training people or abilities.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Japanese, 鍛える (kitaeru) applies to both physical fitness and skills, so its meaning is broader than the exercise sense of English work out.

Other meanings

  • trainverb
  • honeverb

Related words

  • 鍛え方kitaekataway of trainingnoun
  • 鍛えkitaetrainingnoun

Word lists with this word