磨(みが)き上(あ)げる

みがきあげる
ichidan verb (transitive)
to polish up; to refine; to perfect
1. to polish up; to make shine
to polish something thoroughly until it shines
床(ゆか)を磨(みが)き上(あ)げた。
I polished the floor until it shone.
靴(くつ)を磨(みが)き上(あ)げる。
To polish shoes to a shine.
ピカピカに磨(みが)き上(あ)げられた車(くるま)。
A car polished to a sparkling finish.
2. to refine; to perfect; to hone
to improve skills, techniques, or qualities to a high level through effort
技(わざ)を磨(みが)き上(あ)げる。
To refine one's techniques.
長年(ながねん)かけて磨(みが)き上(あ)げた話術(わじゅつ)。
Speaking skills refined over many years.
感性(かんせい)を磨(みが)き上(あ)げる。
To refine one's sensibility.

TRANSITIVITY:
Transitive (他動詞(たどうし))

COMPOUND VERB:
磨(みが)く (to polish/brush) + 上(あ)げる (to finish/complete)
The 上(あ)げる adds completion or bringing to perfection.

SENSE 1 (Physical):

  • 床(ゆか)/窓(まど)/靴(くつ)を磨(みが)き上(あ)げる
  • Often results in something shiny (ピカピカ)

SENSE 2 (Figurative):

  • 技術(ぎじゅつ)/腕(うで)/才能(さいのう)を磨(みが)き上(あ)げる
  • Used for skills, abilities, artistic qualities

RELATED:

  • 磨(みが)く (to polish, to brush)
  • 鍛(きた)え上(あ)げる (to train thoroughly)
  • 仕上(しあ)げる (to finish, to complete)
general
Added 2026.1.25 18:58 · Revised 2026.2.19 21:32
08000/08248_migakiageru