修行(しゅぎょう)

しゅぎょう
noun
training; discipline; ascetic practice
See also: 修業(しゅぎょう) (apprenticeship)
1. training; discipline; practice
Rigorous training to master a skill or art.
料理(りょうり)の修行(しゅぎょう)をする。
To train in cooking.
修行(しゅぎょう)時代(じだい)は厳(きび)しかった。
The training period was strict.
10年(ねん)の修行(しゅぎょう)を経(へ)て、やっと一人前(いちにんまえ)の職人(しょくにん)になった。
After ten years of training, I finally became a full-fledged craftsman.
2. ascetic practice; religious training
Spiritual discipline practiced in Buddhism and other religions.
山(やま)で修行(しゅぎょう)する僧侶(そうりょ)。
A monk training in the mountains.
厳(きび)しい修行(しゅぎょう)に耐(た)える。
To endure rigorous ascetic practice.
お寺(てら)で座禅(ざぜん)の修行(しゅぎょう)をして、心(こころ)が落(お)ち着(つ)いた。
I did Zen meditation practice at a temple and felt at peace.

修行(しゅぎょう) refers to rigorous, sustained training — either for mastering a professional skill or for spiritual discipline. It implies dedication and perseverance beyond casual practice.

Two main contexts

1. Professional: Apprenticeship-style training to master a craft (料理(りょうり)の修行(しゅぎょう) — culinary training)
2. Religious: Ascetic or meditative practice in Buddhism (座禅(ざぜん)の修行(しゅぎょう) — Zen meditation practice)

Common expressions

  • 修行(しゅぎょう)する: to undergo training/discipline
  • 修行(しゅぎょう)中(ちゅう): in training, undergoing practice
  • 修行(しゅぎょう)時代(じだい): training period/apprenticeship years
  • 武者(むしゃ)修行(しゅぎょう): warrior's training journey (also used figuratively)
  • 修行(しゅぎょう)僧(そう): ascetic monk

Similar words

  • 修行(しゅぎょう): rigorous training (professional or spiritual)
  • 練習(れんしゅう): practice (everyday, routine)
  • 訓練(くんれん): training (systematic, often physical or military)
  • 修業(しゅうぎょう): study/training to complete a course (different kanji, similar meaning)

Related Words

Compare: 練習(れんしゅう) (practice (everyday))
Synonym: 訓練(くんれん) (training (systematic))
Related: 修練(しゅうれん) (training)
Compare: 習練(しゅうれん) (training)
Compare: お稽古(けいこ) (practice)
Compare: 滝行(たきぎょう) (waterfall meditation)
Compare: 練功(れんこう) (training)
Related: 作務(さむ) (manual labor at a temple)
general
Added 2026.1.16 16:49 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
05500/05522_shugyou