Translation and Meaning of: 技 - waza

The Japanese word 「技」(waza) is a term often translated as "technique" or "skill." However, its meaning goes beyond these simple translations, encompassing a variety of nuances that make it special within the Japanese cultural context. 「技」reflects the dexterity and technical mastery in various disciplines, whether in martial arts, performing arts, or even in craftsmanship. This expression reveals the ongoing commitment to excellence and continuous refinement in a specific skill.

Etymologically, 「技」is composed of a single kanji that is often associated with skills, competencies, and techniques. This character consists of the radicals 扌 (teshihen), which means "hand," and 支 (shi), which can be interpreted as "branching" or "support," suggesting a skill acquired by the hands or a technique that requires support and refinement to be mastered. The combination of these radicals evokes the image of a technique that is held or practiced with the hands.

Historically, the concept of 「技」 has deep roots in Japanese culture, especially in the practices of traditional arts. In martial arts such as jiu-jitsu or aikido, the term is widely used to describe specific movement and attack techniques. Furthermore, in arts like noh theater and the tea ceremony, the idea of waza is applied to define the fluidity and precision of movements, becoming a form of art cultivated over the years through dedicated training. This ancestral reverence for 「技」reflects a culture that values technical mastery as a path to perfection.

There are various variations and uses of the word 「技」in different contexts. In sports, for example, the word often denotes specific movements that require practice and skill, such as in "motor sports" (motoresupōtsu no waza) or in "gymnastics" (taisō no waza). These variations demonstrate how the notion of a well-learned technique is applied to various spheres, not limited only to traditional arts.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

わざ (waza) - Technique, skill
ぎ (gi) - Skill, technique (often in a specific context)
ぎじゅつ (gijutsu) - Technology, technical skill
こうぎ (kougi) - Classes, instruction in technical skills
じゅつ (jutsu) - Technique, art (generally related to martial or magical arts)
ぎわざ (giwaza) - Techniques used in a specialized context
ぎのわざ (ginowaza) - Specific skill techniques (with an emphasis on skill)
じゅつわざ (jutsuwaza) - Artistic or magical techniques
じゅつのわざ (jutsunowaza) - Art techniques (with an emphasis on a specific art form)
じゅつのこうぎ (jutsunokougi) - Instructions for the arts (focusing on the technique of a specific art)

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Related words

特技

tokugi

special ability

技術

gijyutsu

art; technique; technology; skill

技能

ginou

technical skill; ability; capacity

技師

gishi

engineer; technician

競技

kyougi

game; correspondence; contest

演技

engi

Performance; Performance

ファイト

fwaito

fight

テニス

tenisu

Sneakers

チャイム

tyaimu

CHIME

スポーツ

supo-tsu

sport

技

Romaji: waza
Kana: わざ
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: art; technique

Meaning in English: art;technique

Definition: Waza is a word that refers to a specific technique or skill.

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- Writing
- Sentences

How to Write in Japanese - (技) waza

See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese. (技) waza:

Example Sentences - (技) waza

See below some example sentences:

高度な技術が必要です。

Koudo na gijutsu ga hitsuyou desu

Advanced skills are required.

You need advanced technology.

高度な - means "advanced" or "sophisticated".
技術 - means "technology" or "technical skill".
が - It is a particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
必要 - means "necessary" or "essential".
です - is a polite way of saying "is" or "is".

電子技術は現代社会に欠かせないものです。

Denshi gijutsu wa gendai shakai ni kakasenai mono desu

Electronic technology is indispensable in modern society.

Electronic technology is indispensable to modern society.

電子技術 - electronic technology
は - Topic particle
現代社会 - Modern society
に - Location particle
欠かせない - indispensable
もの - thing
です - Verb to be/estar in the present

陸上競技は私の一番好きなスポーツです。

Rikujō kyōgi wa watashi no ichiban sukina supōtsu desu

Athletics is my favorite sport.

陸上競技 - athletics
は - Topic particle
私 - I
の - Possessive particle
一番 - Number one
好き - Like
な - adjective particle
スポーツ - sport
です - to be (polite form)

職人の技術は素晴らしいです。

Shokunin no gijutsu wa subarashii desu

The skill of craftsmen is wonderful.

Craftsman skills are wonderful.

職人 - means "craftsman" or "skilled professional".
の - possession particle, indicating that the next term belongs to the craftsman.
技術 - means "technique" or "skill".
は - topic particle, indicating that the subject of the sentence is the craftsman's skill.
素晴らしい - adjective meaning "wonderful" or "excellent".
です - Verb "to be" in polite form.

私の特技は料理です。

Watashi no tokugi wa ryōri desu

My special ability is to cook.

私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
の (no) - particle that indicates possession or belonging
特技 (tokugi) - noun meaning "special ability"
は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
料理 (ryouri) - noun meaning "culinary" or "cooking"
です (desu) - linking verb that indicates formality and the present tense

技術は社会を変える力を持っています。

Gijutsu wa shakai o kaeru chikara o motte imasu

Technology has the power to change society.

技術 (gijutsu) - technology
は (wa) - Topic particle
社会 (shakai) - society
を (wo) - direct object particle
変える (kaeru) - change/transform
力 (chikara) - power/strength
を (wo) - direct object particle
持っています (motteimasu) - have/holding

宙返りは危険な技です。

Chūgaeri wa kiken na waza desu

A backflip is a dangerous technique.

The return is a dangerous technique.

宙返り - "サルト" significa "salto mortal" ou "volta ao ar" em japonês.
は - It is a grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
危険 - "危険" (kiken) significa "perigoso" em japonês.
な - It is a grammatical particle that indicates the adjectivation of the word that comes before.
技 - means "technique" or "skill" in Japanese.
です - It is a polite way to say "is" in Japanese.