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修養 (しゅうよう) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Freq. Frequency Top 50,000 Conjugation Meanings 1
noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', intransitive verb
self-improvement ; mental training ; self-discipline ; cultivation
Refers to disciplined effort to improve one's character, mind, or moral self, often through study, reflection, or practice. Common in educational, philosophical, and self-help contexts.
A person who has cultivated themselves stays calm in any situation.
Kanji 修 discipline, conduct oneself well, study Similar words 修しゅ 行ぎょう 修行 focuses on rigorous training, often physical or ascetic, to master a skill or spiritual path, while 修養 emphasizes broader mental and moral self-improvement.
自じ 己こ 啓けい 発はつ 自己啓発 is a modern term for self-development, often career-oriented, whereas 修養 has a more traditional, philosophical nuance of character building.
Etymology From 修 (しゅう, 'to study, master') and 養 (よう, 'to foster, nourish'). The combination conveys the idea of cultivating one's mind and character through study and practice.