Translation guide
The English word 'practice' covers several distinct concepts in Japanese. The most common equivalent is 練習 (renshū) for repeated training to improve a skill. For professional practice like a doctor or lawyer, use 開業 (kaigyō) or 診療 (shinryō). For putting theory into action, use 実践 (jissen). As a verb, 'to practice' is usually 練習する (renshū suru).
The act of doing something repeatedly to get better at it, such as sports, music, or language.
The most common and general word for practice as training. Used for sports, music, studying, etc. Can be a noun or verb with する.
I practice piano every day.
Soccer practice is from 3 PM.
Practice in traditional Japanese arts like martial arts, tea ceremony, flower arranging, or traditional dance. Often implies learning from a master.
I have tea ceremony practice every Saturday.
Systematic training or drill, often for physical or military purposes. Can also be used for job training.
I underwent rigorous training to become a firefighter.
Verb form: to practice. Use this when you want to say 'I practice something'.
I made Japanese friends to practice Japanese.
The work or business of a professional such as a doctor, lawyer, or dentist.
Starting or running a private practice (clinic, law office). Often used with する to mean 'to open a practice'.
He practices law in Tokyo.
Medical practice or consultation. Used for seeing patients. 診療所 is a clinic.
General term for professional duties or business operations. Not specific to medical or legal fields.
The act of doing something rather than just thinking or talking about it; real-world application.
Practice as opposed to theory. Putting knowledge or principles into action. Often used in phrases like 実践する (to put into practice).
It's important to put theory into practice.
Execution or carrying out a plan. Similar to 実践 but more about completing a specific action.
A usual way of doing things; a repeated behavior.
A practice session for a performance or event, like a rehearsal.
練習 is for skill-building through repetition (e.g., piano practice). 実践 is for applying knowledge in real situations (e.g., putting a theory into practice). Don't use 練習 for professional practice like a doctor's office.
I practice Japanese every day.
Use the grammar you learned in practice.
Saying 医者の練習 (isha no renshū) would mean 'practicing to become a doctor' (training), not 'a doctor's medical practice'. For a doctor's office, use 開業 (kaigyō) or 診療所 (shinryōjo).
Practice makes perfect.
Proverb: 'Rather than learning, get used to it.' Equivalent to 'practice makes perfect'.
I need more practice.
She runs her own dental practice.
a doctor in private practice
診療時間は午前９時から午後５時までです。
Office hours are from 9 AM to 5 PM.
legal practice
Let's put what we learned into practice.
計画を実行に移す。
Put a plan into practice.
In that country, it is not the practice to tip.
商慣行
business practice
A formal rehearsal or practice run, often for large events or military exercises.
a rehearsal for the sports day