Japanese symbol for “grinding”
研磨
けんま
Romaji: kenma
grinding; polishing
In Japanese, grinding is 研磨, read けんま (kenma).
Before using these characters for a tattoo, check them with a native speaker. Dictionary words often have several meanings, and the right choice depends on context.
Meanings
- n, vs, vt grinding; polishing
- n, vs, vt refining (a skill, knowledge, etc.); applying oneself (to study); disciplining oneself
Written forms: 研磨、研摩. Readings: けんま.
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “grinding”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| ぎりぎり | ぎりぎり girigiri | grinding (sound); grating; gnashing |
| 研ぎ | とぎ togi | polish; grinding; sharpening |
| 研削 | けんさく kensaku | grinding |
| キリキリ | キリキリ kirikiri | chafing; grinding (e.g. teeth) |
| 擂潰 | らいかい raikai | grinding |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 研究 | けんきゅう kenkyuu | research; study; investigation |
| 研究所 | けんきゅうじょ kenkyuujo | research institute; (research) laboratory |
| 研修 | けんしゅう kenshuu | training (esp. in-service); induction course |
| 研ぐ | とぐ togu | to sharpen; to hone; to whet |
| 研ぎ | とぎ togi | polish; grinding; sharpening |
| 歯磨き | はみがき hamigaki | dental brushing; brushing one's teeth |
| 磨き | みがき migaki | polish; burnishing |
| 琢磨 | たくま takuma | polish (jewels); cultivation |
Data: JMdict (CC BY-SA 4.0); KANJIDIC2 (CC BY-SA 4.0); KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0); wordfreq (CC BY-SA 4.0 (data)). Retrieved 2026-10-22.