Translation guide
The action of pressing, folding, and stretching a soft substance, especially dough or clay, to mix and develop it.
To work dough by pressing, folding, and stretching to develop gluten.
The most common verb for kneading dough or similar soft substances.
パン生地を10分間こねた。
I kneaded the bread dough for 10 minutes.
Kanji form of こねる, often used in written recipes.
生地をよく捏ねてください。
Please knead the dough well.
To work clay or similar material by hand to remove air and make it pliable.
Used for kneading clay, paste, or other non-food materials, as well as for mixing and tempering.
粘土をよく練ってから形を作る。
Knead the clay well before shaping it.
Can also be used for clay, but 練る is more common for non-food materials.
To press and squeeze muscles or flesh, as in a massage.
Used for massaging or kneading body parts, such as shoulders.
肩を揉んでもらえますか？
Could you knead my shoulders?
To work on an idea or problem by repeatedly thinking about it.
Metaphorically used for refining ideas, plans, or arguments.
企画を練るために会議を開いた。
We held a meeting to knead (refine) the plan.
I kneaded paper clay and made a doll.