Translation guide
How to express improving a skill in Japanese, covering general improvement, mastery, and specific skill areas.
I want to improve my skills.
My Japanese has improved.
To say that one's skill or ability is getting better in a general sense.
Literally 'raise one's arm', this is a common idiom meaning to improve one's skill, especially in a craft, sport, or practical ability.
He improved his cooking skills.
A standard verb meaning to make progress or improve in a skill, often used for language, sports, arts, etc.
My Japanese has improved.
A loanword phrase meaning 'skill up', commonly used in business or career contexts.
I want to improve my skills more.
Intransitive version of 腕を上げる, focusing on the skill itself improving.
To express becoming very good at something, or refining a skill to a high level.
Literally 'to apply polish', meaning to refine or brush up a skill.
She is polishing her acting skills.
Combines 'arm' (skill) with 'polish', emphasizing deliberate improvement.
The craftsman hones his skills.
Means to master or thoroughly learn something, often used for arts or disciplines.
To talk about getting better at a particular aspect, like speaking, writing, or technique.
腕を上げる is more idiomatic and often implies practical, hands-on skill improvement. 上達する is more general and can be used for any kind of progress in learning.
Avoid directly translating 'improve one's skill' as スキルを改善する (sukiru o kaizen suru). It sounds unnatural. Use the idiomatic expressions above.
Thanks to practice, my skills improved.
彼は書道を極めた。
He mastered calligraphy.