技術
gijutsu[ɡʲiʑɨt͡sɨ]
The English word 'technique' is translated into Japanese as 技術 (gijutsu).
技術 refers to a method of achieving something. It is also the standard Japanese term used to describe 'technology' in a broader sense, such as in scientific or industrial contexts.
Meaning: method of achieving something (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 技術 (gijutsu) covers general technique and technology, there are other terms depending on the context. The word 技 (waza) is often used instead of 技術 when referring to a specific, practiced skill or a single move, such as in martial arts or games.
How do you pronounce it?
gijutsu
Did you know?
- In Japanese manufacturing, the concept of 'technique' is often elevated to a philosophy called 'monozukuri', which describes the spirit of making things perfectly.
- The term 技術 (gijutsu) is actually a linguistic 'calque' of the English concept of 'mechanical art', created during the modernization of Japanese academic language.
- In traditional Japanese arts, the concept of 技 (waza) is often paired with 心 (kokoro), meaning 'heart' or 'mind', implying that technique is useless without the correct spiritual state.
Examples in context
- 技術はすごいのに見せ方がまずい。The technique is great, but the way it is presented is not good.This sentence shows how to describe the quality of a technique using 技術.Tatoeba #11058233 by small_snow, translation #12039520 by Winter
- この技術の利点って何なのかな？I wonder what the advantage of this technique is.This sentence is useful for asking about the advantages of a specific 技術.Tatoeba #2999835 by Fukuko, translation #3003240 by CK
- 彼女は優れた技術を持っています。She possesses excellent technique.
- 彼の剣術の技術は素晴らしいです。His swordsmanship technique is excellent.
- 彼のギターの技はすごいよね。His guitar skills are amazing, aren't they?
- あの芸者の踊りの技は見事だね。The dance technique of that geisha is splendid, isn't it?
- この絵画の技法は本当に素晴らしいですね。The painting technique of this artwork is truly amazing.
- 新しい技術を身につけるのは大変だ。Atarashii gijutsu o mi ni tsukeru no wa taihen da.It is hard to acquire new techniques.
Example conversation
Ren and Yui are discussing a painting.
- 蓮 Ren結衣さん、この絵の技術はすごいです。Yui-san, kono e no gijutsu wa sugoi desu.Yui, the technique in this painting is amazing.
- 結衣 Yui本当にそうですね。どうやって描いたのでしょう。Hontou ni sou desu ne. Dou yatte kaita no deshou.It really is. I wonder how they painted it.
- 蓮 Ren特殊な技術を使っているのかもしれません。Tokushu na gijutsu o tsukatte iru no kamo shiremasen.They might be using a special technique.
- 結衣 Yui私もそんな技術を身につけたいです。Watashi mo sonna gijutsu o mi ni tsuketai desu.I want to acquire a technique like that too.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 技術, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 技術, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
