godan verb (-ru), transitive verb
knead; thicken into paste
Physical action of working dough, clay, or similar substances by hand, or stirring a mixture over heat until it thickens.
パンを作る前に、小麦粉をよく練る。
Before making bread, knead the flour well.
鍋で小麦粉とバターを練
Stir flour and butter in a pan to make a roux.
godan verb (-ru), transitive verb
Metaphorical extension: improving an idea, plan, or argument through careful thought and revision.
企画書をもう少し練ってから提出しよう。
Let's polish the proposal a bit more before submitting it.
彼は自分の考えを何度も練り直した。
He reworked his ideas many times.
godan verb (-ru), transitive verb
Used for physical or mental training, often in sports or martial arts, emphasizing repeated practice to improve skill or strength.
毎朝、道場で体を練っている。
Every morning I train my body at the dojo.
彼は実戦を想定して戦術を練った。
He drilled tactics assuming actual combat.
godan verb (-ru), transitive verb
gloss silk; soften; degum
Specialized textile term: treating raw silk to remove sericin and give it luster and softness.
生糸を練って光沢を出す。
Raw silk is degummed to bring out its luster.
godan verb (-ru), transitive verb
tan leather
Specialized term for treating animal hides to make leather.
職人が皮を練って柔らかくする。
The craftsman tans the hide to soften it.
godan verb (-ru), transitive verb
temper steel
Metallurgical term: heating and cooling steel to adjust its hardness and toughness.
刀鍛冶は鋼を何度も練る。
The swordsmith tempers the steel repeatedly.
godan verb (-ru), intransitive verb
walk in procession; parade; march
Intransitive use; describes people moving in a formal, often slow, procession. The rare kanji 邌る is specifically associated with this sense.
祭りの行列が町を練り歩く。
The festival procession parades through the town.