1.
way; means; method
A way of doing something. Mostly negative (there is no way, no means left), and literary in tone, but common in set phrases such as 為す術がない; positive uses are mainly 生きる術 (the means to survive).
The same kanji read じゅつ means a technique or art (技術, 手術); read すべ it means simply "a way to do something". すべ is often written in kana.
Common patterns
- 為す術がない / 為す術もなく: there is nothing one can do; helplessly
- verb (dictionary form) + 術がない: there is no way to ~ (知る術がない: there is no way of knowing)
- 生きる術: the means to survive