(じゅつ)

じゅつ
noun, suffix
technique; art; means
1. technique; art; skill
A method or technique, especially one requiring special training or knowledge. Often used as a suffix to form compound words describing specific arts or techniques.
忍術(にんじゅつ)使(つか)う。
To use ninjutsu.
柔術(じゅうじゅつ)日本(にほん)伝統的(でんとうてき)武術(ぶじゅつ)(ひと)つだ。
Jujutsu is one of Japan's traditional martial arts.
(かれ)話術(わじゅつ)()けていて、()(ひと)()きつける。
He is skilled in the art of conversation and draws listeners in.
2. means; way; method
A way or means of doing something, often used in the expression 'having no means' or 'no way to do something.'
()げる(じゅつ)がない。
There is no way to escape.
()きる(じゅつ)()につける。
To learn the means to survive.
()(じゅつ)もなく、ただ()ているしかなかった。
There was nothing we could do; we could only watch.

(じゅつ) can function both as a standalone noun and as a suffix forming compound words.

COMMON COMPOUNDS (as suffix):

  • 武術(ぶじゅつ) (martial arts)
  • 忍術(にんじゅつ) (ninjutsu)
  • 柔術(じゅうじゅつ) (jujutsu)
  • 手術(しゅじゅつ) (surgery)
  • 芸術(げいじゅつ) (art)
  • 技術(ぎじゅつ) (technology, skill)
  • 話術(わじゅつ) (art of conversation)
  • 魔術(まじゅつ) (magic, sorcery)

COMMON EXPRESSIONS (sense 2):

  • ()(じゅつ)がない (there is nothing one can do)
  • ()げる(じゅつ)がない (there is no way to escape)

Note: When reading (じゅつ) as すべ (an alternative reading), the meaning is specifically "means" or "way" and is more literary. The じゅつ reading is standard in compounds.