Word
改良
Meaning in Englishimprovement, reform
Animated kanji stroke order
Word context
What it means
Improvement or refinement achieved through modification or optimization; it refers to making something better by altering its design, process, or function, especially in technical, industrial, or research contexts.
Main meanings
- In engineering or product development, 改良 denotes systematic enhancements aimed at performance, durability, or usability.
- In scientific or research contexts, it refers to iterative improvements of methods or experimental systems.
- As 改良する it means to improve or to refine, typically by redesign or optimization.
How to use it
Used in formal technical writing, manufacturing, and research to describe deliberate enhancements; Example: 技術開発では新製品の機能を改良する。研究プロセスの改良を進める。農業分野で品種改良が行われる。
Variants and close terms
- 改善 (kaizen) — improvement
- 向上 (kōjō) — enhancement
- 進化 (shinka) — evolution, refinement
- 悪化 (akka) — deterioration
Composition
- 改: change, modify; alter
- 良: good, favorable; quality
- Together they denote making something better by changing it for the good
Etymology
etimologia: The kanji 改 means change or revise, and 良 means good; together they form a compound meaning a change that yields a better state. The standard on'yomi reading is kairyō, which solidifies as the common pronunciation of the compound.
Word class
Noun (名詞); also forms 改良する (to improve) as a suru-verb
Related words by kanji and components
N1
良好
ryoukou
favorable, satisfactory
N1
良識
ryoushiki
good sense
N1
良質
ryoushitsu
good quality, superior quality
N1
良心
ryoushin
conscience
N2
改めて
aratamete
another time, again
N2
改める
aratameru
to change, to reform, to revise
N2
改札
kaisatsu
examination of tickets
N2
改正
kaisei
revision, amendment, alteration
N2
改造
kaizou
remodeling