修業する

• Reading: しゅうぎょうする
• Romaji: shuugyou suru
• Kanji breakdown: 修 (shū) — master, study, discipline; 業 (gyō) — craft, profession, work
• Pronunciation: /ɕɯː.gjoː.sɯ.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To apprentice; to train under a master; to pursue disciplined study or practice in a craft.

A Group 3 (suru) verb. 修業 specifically refers to undergoing rigorous training or apprenticeship, often in traditional crafts, martial arts, or culinary arts. Not to be confused with 就業する (to work/be employed) or 修行する (religious/spiritual training), though 修業 and 修行 overlap in some contexts. The emphasis is on developing skills through dedicated practice.

Examples

1. 彼は京都の老舗で10年間修業した。 He trained at a long-established shop in Kyoto for ten years.
2. 一流の職人のもとで修業することが夢だ。 My dream is to apprentice under a master craftsman.
3. 料理人として修業するために渡仏した。 He went to France to train as a chef.

Usage Guide

Context: crafts, culinary, traditional arts

Tone: respectful

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese: 修 (shū, master/study) + 業 (gyō, craft/profession). Literally 'mastering a craft' — the kanji 修 conveys the idea of disciplined refinement.

Cultural Context

Era: Pre-modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Artisan