Translation guide
The English verb "grind" has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common ones for learners: crushing into powder, sharpening, the repetitive unpleasant sound/action, and the figurative sense of hard monotonous work. It also touches on a few niche uses.
To reduce something to small particles by crushing, such as coffee beans, grains, or spices.
The most common verb for grinding something into powder or small pieces, especially with a mill or grinder. Used for coffee, grains, etc.
I grind coffee beans.
At this shop, they grind the beans after you order.
Means 'to crush' or 'break into pieces'. More general than 挽く; can be used for crushing ice, rocks, etc. Not specifically for powder.
I crush ice to make shaved ice.
To grind or mash into a paste or fine powder, often using a mortar and pestle (すり鉢). Implies a rubbing/grinding motion.
I grind sesame seeds in a mortar.
Formal/technical term for pulverizing or crushing into powder. Used in industrial or scientific contexts.
The machine grinds up waste materials.
To make something sharp or smooth by rubbing it against a hard surface, like a knife or lens.
To sharpen a blade (knife, sword) or to polish/wash rice. The standard verb for sharpening on a whetstone.
I sharpen a kitchen knife.
He sharpens his razor every morning.
To shave, sharpen (a pencil), or grind down. Used for pencils or reducing thickness.
Technical term for grinding, polishing, or lapping (lenses, metals). Used in manufacturing or optics.
I grind a lens.
To produce an unpleasant sound by rubbing, or to rub things together forcefully. Also used for grinding teeth.
To creak, squeak, or grate. Describes the sound of something rubbing unpleasantly.
I hate the sound of grinding teeth.
The old door ground on its hinges.
Onomatopoeic phrase for a grinding or creaking sound. ギリギリ mimics the noise.
Specifically means 'to grind one's teeth', either in sleep or from frustration.
He grinds his teeth in his sleep.
To rub, chafe, or be worn by friction. Intransitive; describes something being ground down.
To do difficult, boring work or study for a long time. Often used in gaming for repetitive tasks to gain levels.
To work steadily and diligently, step by step. A positive, natural expression for consistent hard work.
He ground away every day and finally achieved his dream.
To persevere steadily and humbly. Similar to コツコツ but emphasizes the unglamorous nature of the work.
To study intensely/hard. Captures the 'grind' of cramming for exams.
I ground for the exam.
Gaming slang for playing a game extensively, doing repetitive tasks to master it or level up. Equivalent to 'grind' in gaming.
I ground this game and maxed out my level.
To work busily and diligently, often with a sense of routine. Can imply grinding away at a job.
He grinds away at his job every day.
To turn a handle to operate a manual machine.
Simply 'to turn'. Used for grinding with a hand-cranked device.
I grind the coffee by turning the handle.
To dance in a sexually suggestive way, rubbing against someone.
To shake/gyrate one's hips. Can be used in a sexual context, but not exclusively.
He grinded on her at the club.
挽く (hiku) is for grinding with a mill (coffee, flour). 砕く (kudaku) is crushing into irregular pieces (ice, nuts). すり潰す (suritsubusu) is grinding into a paste or fine powder using friction (sesame, garlic).
挽く means to grind into powder. For sharpening a blade, use 研ぐ (togu). Using 挽く for a knife would be incorrect.
In gaming contexts, やり込む (yarikomu) is the best equivalent for 'grinding' levels or items. 経験値稼ぎ (keikenchi kasegi, 'exp farming') is also common.
I need to grind some coffee.
He grinds his teeth at night.
She spent all weekend grinding for the exam.
I sharpen a pencil.
The machine ground to a halt with a grating sound.
The rope is grinding and about to break.
I ground away and saved money little by little.