The Meaning of shori [処理] In Japanese

処理
しょり
Romaji: shori N3

What does 処理 mean?

Translation and Meaning

processing, handling, treatment, disposal

Definition

What does 処理 mean? It denotes the act or result of processing, handling, or dealing with something in a systematic way, such as transforming input into output, managing tasks, or resolving a problem.

Type

Noun (suru-verb) (noun, suru-verb)

Stroke Order

Meanings

  • General processing of data or objects, transforming inputs into outputs in computing, manufacturing, and logistics.
  • Handling or dealing with tasks, problems, or situations in an organized, timely manner.
  • Disposal or treatment of materials, waste, or substances in an operational context.
  • Medical or technical contexts referring to sample preparation, signal processing, or image processing.

Etymology

On’yomi chǔlǐ; shori is the standard modern reading derived from Sino-Japanese usage; the two kanji individually carry separate meanings but combine in this compound to express processing or handling.

Composition

  • 処: to deal with; to handle
  • 理: logic, order, reason
  • Together they form the idea of handling in a logical, ordered way, i.e., processing

Usage

Used as a noun for processing or handling; in formal technical contexts it coexists with the suru-verb 処理する; common phrases include データを処理する, この処理を実行する, 画像処理, 信号処理, 廃棄物の処理, 処理能力.
💡 Tips
Mnemonic: imagine a clerk using strict order (理) to handle situations (処) — you process inputs by applying order to outputs.

Variations

  • 処置 (しょち, shochi) — treatment, disposition
  • 対応 (たいおう, taio) — handling, dealing with
  • データ処理 (deeta shori) — data processing
  • 画像処理 (gazō shori) — image processing
  • 処理系 (しょりけい, shori-kei) — processing system

Example Phrases

  • 朝の データ の 処理 を 終えたら 会議 で 報告 する
    Asa no dēta no shori o oetara kaigi de hōkoku suru
    If I finish the morning data processing, I will report at the meeting.
    Lista:
    • 朝の (asa no) – morning’s
    • データ (dēta) – data
    • の (no) – of
    • 処理 (shori) – processing
    • を (o) – object marker
    • 終えたら (oetara) – when finished
    • 会議 (kaigi) – meeting
    • で (de) – at
    • 報告 (hōkoku) – report
    • する (suru) – to do
    In this sentence, 「処理」 denotes ‘processing’ as a noun; it is the object of を; the clause ends with 「〜たら」 to express ‘when/if finished’.
処理