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.
コーヒー豆を挽く。
I grind coffee beans.
この店では、注文を受けてから豆を挽いてくれます。
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.
氷を砕いてかき氷を作る。
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.
ごまをすり鉢ですり潰す。
I grind sesame seeds in a mortar.
Formal/technical term for pulverizing or crushing into powder. Used in industrial or scientific contexts.
機械が廃材を粉砕する。
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.
包丁を研ぐ。
I sharpen a kitchen knife.
彼は毎朝、剃刀を研いでいる。
He sharpens his razor every morning.
To shave, sharpen (a pencil), or grind down. Used for pencils or reducing thickness.
鉛筆を削る。
I sharpen a pencil.
Technical term for grinding, polishing, or lapping (lenses, metals). Used in manufacturing or optics.
レンズを研磨する。
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.
歯ぎしりがきしむ音が嫌だ。
I hate the sound of grinding teeth.
古い扉がきしんだ。
The old door ground on its hinges.
Onomatopoeic phrase for a grinding or creaking sound. ギリギリ mimics the noise.
機械がギリギリと音を立てて止まった。
The machine ground to a halt with a grating sound.
Specifically means 'to grind one's teeth', either in sleep or from frustration.
彼は寝ている間に歯ぎしりする。
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.
彼は毎日コツコツと努力して、ついに夢を叶えた。
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.
地道に頑張って、少しずつ貯金した。
I ground away and saved money little by little.
To study intensely/hard. Captures the 'grind' of cramming for exams.
試験のために猛勉強した。
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.
このゲームをやり込んで、レベルを最大にした。
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.
彼は毎日せっせと働いている。
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.
ハンドルを回してコーヒーを挽く。
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.
クラブで彼女に腰を振って迫った。
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.
コーヒーを挽かないと。
I need to grind some coffee.
彼は夜、歯ぎしりをする。
He grinds his teeth at night.
彼女は週末ずっと試験のために猛勉強した。
She spent all weekend grinding for the exam.
The rope is grinding and about to break.