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磨
磨
16 strokes
Frequency: 1608
JLPT N2
Grade 8

Meanings

grind
polish
scour
improve
brush (teeth)

Readings

On — Chinese-derived reading, usually for compounds
マ
Kun — Native Japanese reading, usually for standalone words
みが.く
す.る
Nanori — Specialized readings used in names
おさむ

Common Words

磨く
みがく
研く
琢く
Godan verb
Transitive
Freq #4249
1

to polish; to shine; to burnish; to scour; to scrub; to brush (teeth); to grind (e.g. a lens)

Examples
弟は銀の食器類を磨いた。
My brother polished the silver.
2

to refine (a skill, etc.); to improve; to hone; to polish (up); to cultivate (one's character)

Examples
学生は読書の技能を磨くべきだ。
Students should develop their reading skills.
擦る
擂る
する
摩る
磨る
Godan verb
Transitive
Freq #5052
1

to rub; to chafe; to strike (match); to file; to frost (glass)

Examples
ケリーはマッチを擦ってパイプへもっていった。
Kelly struck a match and put it to his pipe.
2

to squander (one's money); to run through (one's fortune); to lose money (e.g. by gambling)

Examples
ありがね全部すってしまった。
We shot our wad.
擦れる
磨れる
摩れる
擂れる
すれる
Intransitive
Ichidan verb
Freq #10876
1

to rub; to chafe

2

to wear out; to become worn

3

to lose one's innocence; to become sly

磨き上げる
みがきあげる
Transitive
Ichidan verb
Freq #18035
1

to polish up; to shine up

磨き
研き
みがき
Noun
Freq #18602
1

polish; burnishing

Examples
おまえは床をみがきさえすればよい。
You have only to sweep the floor.
2

improvement; becoming more skilled

研ぐ
磨ぐ
砥ぐ
とぐ
Transitive
Godan verb
Freq #19727
1

to sharpen; to hone; to whet; to grind

Examples
彼女はいつも人に対してやいばをといでいます。
She always has some axe to grind.
2

Esp. 磨ぐ

to wash (rice)

3

to scour; to polish; to burnish

雪だるま
ゆきだるま
雪達磨
Noun
Freq #25341
1

snowman

Examples
私は雪だるまや雪の家を作ります。
I build snowmen and snow huts.
歯を磨く
歯をみがく
はをみがく
Expression
Godan verb
Freq #25624
1

to brush one's teeth

Examples
タロー君、歯を磨いていらっしゃい。
Taro, go and brush your teeth.
百戦錬磨
百戦練磨
ひゃくせんれんま
四字熟語
～の Adj.
Freq #26718
1

veteran; battle-worn; schooled by adversity in many battles; hard-bitten; rich in experience; very experienced

腕を磨く
うでをみがく
Expression
Godan verb
Freq #27073
1

to polish one's skills

Examples
ロンドン滞在中に彼は英語の腕を磨いた。
He brushed up his English during his stay in London.
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