Translation guide
The English word 'practice' covers several distinct concepts in Japanese. The most common equivalent is 練習 (renshū) for repeated training to improve a skill. For professional practice like a doctor or lawyer, use 開業 (kaigyō) or 診療 (shinryō). For putting theory into action, use 実践 (jissen). As a verb, 'to practice' is usually 練習する (renshū suru).
The act of doing something repeatedly to get better at it, such as sports, music, or language.
The most common and general word for practice as training. Used for sports, music, studying, etc. Can be a noun or verb with する.
毎日ピアノの練習をしています。
I practice piano every day.
サッカーの練習は午後３時からです。
Soccer practice is from 3 PM.
Practice in traditional Japanese arts like martial arts, tea ceremony, flower arranging, or traditional dance. Often implies learning from a master.
毎週土曜日に茶道の稽古があります。
I have tea ceremony practice every Saturday.
Systematic training or drill, often for physical or military purposes. Can also be used for job training.
消防士になるための厳しい訓練を受けた。
I underwent rigorous training to become a firefighter.
Verb form: to practice. Use this when you want to say 'I practice something'.
日本語を練習するために日本人の友達を作った。
I made Japanese friends to practice Japanese.
The work or business of a professional such as a doctor, lawyer, or dentist.
Starting or running a private practice (clinic, law office). Often used with する to mean 'to open a practice'.
彼は東京で弁護士を開業している。
He practices law in Tokyo.
開業医
a doctor in private practice
Medical practice or consultation. Used for seeing patients. 診療所 is a clinic.
General term for professional duties or business operations. Not specific to medical or legal fields.
The act of doing something rather than just thinking or talking about it; real-world application.
Practice as opposed to theory. Putting knowledge or principles into action. Often used in phrases like 実践する (to put into practice).
理論を実践に移すことが大切だ。
It's important to put theory into practice.
学んだことを実践してみよう。
Let's put what we learned into practice.
Execution or carrying out a plan. Similar to 実践 but more about completing a specific action.
A usual way of doing things; a repeated behavior.
Habit or custom. Use this when 'practice' means something done regularly.
早寝早起きは良い習慣です。
Going to bed early and getting up early is a good practice.
その国ではチップを渡す習慣がない。
In that country, it is not the practice to tip.
Customary practice, often in business or society. More formal than 習慣.
A practice session for a performance or event, like a rehearsal.
Loanword from English 'rehearsal'. Used for plays, concerts, ceremonies, etc.
結婚式のリハーサルを行います。
We will have a rehearsal for the wedding.
練習 is for skill-building through repetition (e.g., piano practice). 実践 is for applying knowledge in real situations (e.g., putting a theory into practice). Don't use 練習 for professional practice like a doctor's office.
毎日日本語を練習している。
I practice Japanese every day.
学んだ文法を実践で使う。
Use the grammar you learned in practice.
Saying 医者の練習 (isha no renshū) would mean 'practicing to become a doctor' (training), not 'a doctor's medical practice'. For a doctor's office, use 開業 (kaigyō) or 診療所 (shinryōjo).
習うより慣れろ。
Practice makes perfect.
Proverb: 'Rather than learning, get used to it.' Equivalent to 'practice makes perfect'.
もっと練習が必要です。
I need more practice.
彼女は自分の歯科医院を開業している。
She runs her own dental practice.
診療時間は午前９時から午後５時までです。
Office hours are from 9 AM to 5 PM.
legal practice
計画を実行に移す。
Put a plan into practice.
商慣行
business practice
A formal rehearsal or practice run, often for large events or military exercises.
運動会の予行演習
a rehearsal for the sports day