技術
gijutsu[ɡʲiʑɨt͡sɨ]
In Japanese, technology is said as 技術 (gijutsu).
The word 技術 refers to a body of tools.
Meaning: body of tools (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of the characters for 'skill/technique' (技) and 'art/craft/technique' (術).
Which one should you use?
While 技術 refers to technical skill or a body of knowledge, the katakana loanword テクノロジー (tekunorojī) is often used specifically in the context of modern high-tech or scientific advancements.
How do you pronounce it?
gijutsu
Did you know?
- The character 術 in 技術 is the same character used in the word for 'magic' or 'art of war', suggesting a connection between craft and specialized mastery.
- The word 技術 was repurposed in the 19th century by Nishi Amane as a direct translation, or calque, of the English term 'mechanical art'.
- In Japanese, a 'technician' is called a 技術者 (gijutsusha), literally a 'technology person', which can apply to anyone from a software engineer to a master carpenter.
Examples in context
- バカみたいな技術だな。It seems to be a stupid piece of technology.This sentence uses 技術 to express an opinion about a piece of technology.Tatoeba #10990176 by small_snow, translation #13677513 by terrywallwork
- 科学技術は確実に発達している。Technology progresses steadily.This sentence uses 技術 to describe the steady progress of technology.Tatoeba #186854 by KK_kaku_, translation #629099 by blay_paul
- 近代技術は多くの物を与えてくれる。Modern technology gives us many things.This sentence uses 技術 to describe the benefits provided by modern technology.Tatoeba #179799 by bunbuku, translation #2036924 by CK
- 20 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
陽太 and 陽葵 are talking about a new smartphone feature.
- 陽太 Yotaこのスマホの技術はすごいね。Kono sumaho no gijutsu wa sugoi ne.The technology in this smartphone is amazing, isn't it?
- 陽葵 Himari本当、新しい技術には驚くよ。Honto, atarashii gijutsu ni wa odoroku yo.True, I am amazed by new technology.
- 陽太 Yotaどんどん便利になっているね。Dondon benri ni natte iru ne.It is becoming more and more convenient.
- 陽葵 Himari未来の技術も楽しみだね。Mirai no gijutsu mo tanoshimi da ne.I'm looking forward to future technology 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.
