推敲(すいこう)

すいこう
noun
polishing (of writing); careful revision
languagecreation
See also: 遂行(すいこう) (execution, carrying out)
1. polishing; careful revision; refining one's writing
The process of repeatedly reviewing and improving a piece of writing, choosing words and phrases with care. Derived from a Chinese anecdote about a poet who agonized over whether to use the character 推(すい) (push) or 敲(こう) (knock) in a line of poetry.
文章(ぶんしょう)を推敲(すいこう)する。
To polish a piece of writing.
何度(なんど)も推敲(すいこう)を重(かさ)ねた。
I went through many rounds of revision.
提出(ていしゅつ)する前(まえ)に、もう一度(いちど)推敲(すいこう)してから送(おく)りましょう。
Before submitting, let's polish it one more time and then send it.

推敲(すいこう) means to carefully revise and polish a piece of writing, choosing each word with deliberation. Used as a suru verb.

Etymology

From a famous Tang dynasty anecdote: the poet 賈島(かとう) agonized over whether to use 推(すい) (push) or 敲(こう) (knock) in a line of poetry. The two kanji together came to mean careful word choice.

Common patterns

Usage

Used mainly for written text. Implies careful, thoughtful revision rather than casual proofreading.

Watch out

遂行(すいこう) means 'execution/carrying out' — same reading but completely different kanji and meaning.

Related Words

Related: 校閲(こうえつ) (proofreading)
general
Added 2026.3.25 10:35 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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