技術 (ぎじゅつ) — Japanese Vocabulary
技術 (ぎじゅつ / gijutsu): technology, skill. N4 level Japanese vocabulary.
技術 — ぎじゅつ (gijutsu)
Part of speech: noun JLPT level: N4 Reading: ぎじゅつ (gijutsu) Meaning: technology, skill
Word Breakdown
- 技 (ぎ / gi): Skill, art, technique.
- On-yomi: ギ (gi)
- Kun-yomi: わざ (waza)
- 術 (じゅつ / jutsu): Art, technique, means, magic.
- On-yomi: ジュツ (jutsu)
- Kun-yomi: すべ (sube)
All Readings
- 技 (gi):
- On-yomi: ギ (used in gijutsu)
- Kun-yomi: わざ
- 術 (jutsu):
- On-yomi: ジュツ (used in gijutsu)
- Kun-yomi: すべ
Example Sentences
| Japanese | Reading | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| 技術を磨く。 | ぎじゅつをみがく。 | Gijutsu o migaku. | To polish one's skills. |
| 日本の技術は高い。 | にほんのぎじゅつはたかい。 | Nihon no gijutsu wa takai. | Japanese technology is advanced. |
| 彼は技術がある。 | かれはぎじゅつがある。 | Kare wa gijutsu ga aru. | He has skill. |
| 新しい技術を学ぶ。 | あたらしいぎじゅつをまなぶ。 | Atarashii gijutsu o manabu. | To learn new technology. |
| 技術者になりたい。 | ぎじゅつしゃになりたい。 | Gijutsusha ni naritai. | I want to become an engineer. |
| この技術は役に立つ。 | このぎじゅつはやくにたつ。 | Kono gijutsu wa yaku ni tatsu. | This technology is useful. |
| 技術の進歩は速い。 | ぎじゅつのしんぽははやい。 | Gijutsu no shinpo wa hayai. | Technological progress is fast. |
| 専門的な技術が必要だ。 | せんもんてきなぎじゅつがひつようだ。 | Senmonteki na gijutsu ga hitsuyō da. | Specialized skills are required. |
Related Words and Compounds
| Japanese | Reading | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| 技術者 | ぎじゅつしゃ | gijutsusha | engineer, technician |
| 科学技術 | かがくぎじゅつ | kagaku gijutsu | science and technology |
| 技能 | ぎのう | ginō | technical skill |
| 技術的 | ぎじゅつてき | gijutsuteki | technical |
| 芸術 | げいじゅつ | geijutsu | art |
| 手術 | しゅじゅつ | shujutsu | surgery |
| 術 | すべ | sube | way, means |
| 技 | わざ | waza | technique, feat |
Common Mistakes
❌ 技術を使う (gijutsu o tsukau) → ✓ 技術を活かす (gijutsu o ikasu) — While "using" technology is grammatically correct, "ikasu" (to make the most of/utilize) sounds much more natural when talking about applying one's skills.
❌ 彼はいい技術を持っている (Kare wa ii gijutsu o motte iru) → ✓ 彼は高い技術を持っている (Kare wa takai gijutsu o motte iru) — Skills are usually described as "high" (takai) rather than "good" (ii) in formal or professional contexts.
In Context — Mini Dialogue
A: 日本のロボットの技術はすごいですね。 (Nihon no robotto no gijutsu wa sugoi desu ne.) Japanese robot technology is amazing, isn't it?
B: ええ、とても進んでいます。 (Ee, totemo susunde imasu.) Yes, it is very advanced.
A: 将来、技術者になりたいですか？ (Shōrai, gijutsusha ni naritai desu ka?) Do you want to become an engineer in the future?
B: はい、そのつもりです。 (Hai, sono tsumori desu.) Yes, that is my intention.
Usage Notes
- Nuance: Gijutsu is a broad term. It can refer to high-level industrial or digital "technology" (like AI or robotics) or the "skill" or "technique" required to perform a specific task (like playing an instrument or carpentry).
- Collocations: You will frequently see it paired with takai (high) to describe quality, or shinpo (progress) to describe the evolution of technology. When referring to a person who possesses these skills, the suffix -sha (person) is added to create gijutsusha (engineer/technician).
- Cultural Context: In Japan, the concept of gijutsu is often tied to the idea of monozukuri (the art of making things). There is a deep cultural respect for those who have mastered a specific gijutsu, often referred to as a shokunin (craftsman).