The Meaning of shugyō [修行] In Japanese

修行
しゅうぎょう
Romaji: shugyō N4

What does 修行 mean?

Translation and Meaning

training, practice, ascetic discipline

Definition

修行 means training or discipline through sustained practice, often in a religious or spiritual context; it refers to the ongoing process of honing skills, character, or spiritual attainment through dedicated effort.

Type

Noun, suru-verb (名詞, サ変動詞)

Stroke Order

Meanings

  • Religious or spiritual training through sustained practice, especially within Buddhism and Zen.
  • General self-discipline and long-term training to master a craft, skill, or profession.
  • Ascetic or austere practice as part of growth, sometimes expressed as 苦行.

Etymology

修行 has the Sino-Japanese origin, borrowed from Chinese xiūxíng; in Japanese, the on’yomi reading is shūgyō, reflecting a two-kanji compound whose pronunciation adapted to Japanese phonology.

Origin

Introduced to Japan with Buddhist teachings, the concept of 修行 spread through monasteries and later influenced martial arts and dojo training; over time it broadened from strictly religious practice to include secular personal development and professional mastery.

Composition

  • 修: to repair, to mend, to cultivate; emphasis on refinement and preparation
  • 行: to go, to conduct, action; emphasis on movement and conduct

Usage

Used as a noun and with the verb 修行する in formal and religious contexts; common in martial arts, Zen practice, and discussions of personal development; can appear in academic or spiritual writing; casual usage less common outside specific contexts; examples: 宗教的な修行に参加する; 剣術の修行を続ける; 仕事の修行として新しい技術を学ぶ.
💡 Tips
Mnemonic: imagine 修 as fixing yourself and 行 as moving forward; by fixing (修) and moving (行) you practice steadily toward improvement.

Variations

  • 修業 — training, study (romaji: shūgyō)
  • 苦行 — ascetic practice (romaji: kugyō)
  • 精進 — diligent practice (romaji: shōjin)

Example Phrases

  • 私の朝の修行は、コーヒーを丁寧に淹れることだ。
    Watashi no asa no shugyō wa, kōhī o teinei ni ireru koto da.
    My morning practice is brewing coffee carefully.
    Lista:
    • 私の (watashi no) – my
    • 朝の (asa no) – morning
    • 修行は (shugyō wa) – practice (topic)
    • コーヒーを (kōhī o) – coffee (object)
    • 丁寧に (teinei ni) – carefully
    • 淹れる (ireru) – to brew
    • ことだ (koto da) – is to / that is
    In this context, 「修行」 means a personal daily practice or discipline rather than religious training.
修行