polish

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 磨 has 16 strokes and concerns polishing a surface or honing an ability.
• Basic usage: 磨く is read みがく, and 研磨 is read けんま.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Polishing surfaces and honing skills
  • 革靴を布で磨いた means polished leather shoes with a cloth.
  • 語学力を磨きたい means want to hone one's language skills.
  • The 磨 in 研磨 is read ま.
  • 刃物の研磨 means sharpening or grinding a blade. Here, 研磨 concerns working on a physical surface or cutting edge.