1.
to make repeated efforts; to keep devising improvements; to refine through trial and error
To continue working on something by trying different approaches and making incremental improvements. Emphasizes persistent, creative effort over time rather than a single attempt.
Combines 工夫 (ingenuity; creative effort) with 重ねる (to pile up; to repeat). The expression highlights the iterative nature of improvement — not just trying once but building on each attempt. It carries a positive connotation of diligence and craftsmanship.
Common collocations
- 工夫を重ねて完成する: to complete through repeated effort
- 長年工夫を重ねる: to refine over many years
- 試行錯誤を重ねる: to repeat trial and error (related pattern)
Similar words
- 努力を重ねる: to make repeated efforts — more general; 工夫を重ねる emphasizes creative problem-solving
- 改良を重ねる: to make repeated improvements — focuses on the result (improvement) rather than the process (ingenuity)
- 試行錯誤: trial and error — describes the method but without the positive connotation of steady progress
Related Words
Compare:
試行錯誤 (trial and error)