練(ね)る

ねる
godan verb
to knead, to work out, to elaborate
1. to knead, to work (dough, clay)
To work a substance by pressing and folding to make it soft and pliable.
粘土(ねんど)を練(ね)る。
To knead clay.
2. to work out, to elaborate, to refine (a plan, strategy)
To develop or improve something through careful thought and preparation.
作戦(さくせん)を練(ね)る。
To work out a strategy.
選挙(せんきょ)本部(ほんぶ)で作戦(さくせん)を練(ね)った。
We worked out a strategy at the election headquarters.

練(ね)る is a transitive verb (他動詞(たどうし)).

CONJUGATION: Godan verb (五段動詞)

  • て-form: 練(ね)って
  • Past: 練(ね)った
  • Negative: 練(ね)らない

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

Sense 1 (knead):

  • 粘土(ねんど)を練(ね)る: knead clay
  • 生地(きじ)を練(ね)る: knead dough

Sense 2 (work out):

  • 計画(けいかく)を練(ね)る: work out a plan
  • 作戦(さくせん)を練(ね)る: devise a strategy
  • 文章(ぶんしょう)を練(ね)る: polish a text

RELATED WORDS:

  • 練習(れんしゅう): practice (uses same kanji)
general
Added 2026.2.3 18:58
09500/09751_neru