1.
devotion, diligence, dedicated effort
Concentrating one's effort wholeheartedly on self-improvement, study, or a craft. Originally a Buddhist concept of striving toward enlightenment, now used broadly for dedicated effort in any field.
これからも精進してまいります。
I will continue to devote myself wholeheartedly.
A humble, formal expression often used in speeches and greetings.
日々精進を重ねて、技術を磨いている。
I polish my skills through daily devoted practice.
まだまだ未熟ですが、精進いたします。
I am still inexperienced, but I will work diligently.
2.
Buddhist vegetarian cuisine, abstinence from meat
The practice of abstaining from eating meat and fish, rooted in Buddhist precepts. Also refers to the vegetarian cuisine served at Buddhist temples.
精進料理をいただく。
To have vegetarian Buddhist cuisine.
お寺で精進料理を体験した。
I experienced Buddhist vegetarian cuisine at a temple.
精進料理は肉や魚を使わず、野菜や豆腐を中心に作られる。
Buddhist vegetarian cuisine is made mainly from vegetables and tofu, without using meat or fish.
USAGE:
As a する verb, 精進する means "to devote oneself" or "to strive diligently." The phrase これからも精進してまいります is a very common humble expression used in speeches, award acceptances, and formal greetings.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 精進する: to devote oneself, to strive
- 精進料理: Buddhist vegetarian cuisine
- 日々精進: daily devoted effort
- 精進を重ねる: to accumulate devoted effort
- 精進潔斎: purification and abstinence
ETYMOLOGY:
From the Sanskrit term "vīrya" (one of the six perfections in Buddhism), meaning vigorous effort toward enlightenment. The food sense developed from the Buddhist practice of abstaining from killing living creatures.