Kaizen
/ˈkaɪ.zɛn/noun
A Japanese term meaning 'continuous improvement' or 'change for the better'.
Did you know?The roots of Kaizen lie in post-war Japan, where it became a foundational principle for quality control and productivity, embodying the belief that small, incremental changes lead to significant transformation.
Etymological Timeline
Japanese
Japanese
改善
“Directly translates to 'improvement' and combines 'kai' (to change) and 'zen' (goodness).”
19th Century
Japanese
改善
“Became popularized as a business philosophy post-World War II, emphasizing gradual improvement.”
20th Century
English
Kaizen
“Adopted into English business terminology as a method for achieving efficiency and quality.”
21st Century
Global
Kaizen
“Expanded beyond business contexts to personal development and self-help movements.”