Japanese word

勉強

Pronunciation

Romajibenkyō

Meaning

  • nounstudy

Example

毎日勉強します。mai nichi ben kyō shi ma su

I study every day.

Illustration for 勉強 (study)

More examples

学校で勉強します。gak kō de ben kyō shi ma su

I study at school.

試験の前は、図書館で勉強します。shi ken no mae wa to sho kan de ben kyō shi ma su

Before an exam, I study in the library.

Core concept

Study centers on actively working to understand and remember a subject or skill.

Common phrases

  • 勉強するben kyō su ru

    study

  • 勉強を始めるben kyō o haji me ru

    start studying

Similar words

学習gakushū: The process of gaining knowledge or skills through study and practice.
学びmanabi: Knowledge or understanding gained through study, experience, or advice.

Definition in Japanese

知識や技能を得るために、物事を継続して学ぶこと。chi shiki ya gi nō o e ru ta me ni mono goto o kei zoku shi te mana bu ko to

Word origin

勉 (ben, "exertion") and 強 (kyō, "strength") are Chinese characters whose combination first expressed exerting oneself and later acquired the meaning of study in Japanese.

Usage tips

  • Japanese speakers use 勉強 (benkyō) to describe learning from advice or experience, so the word covers more than classroom study.

Other meanings

  • learningnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 勉強家benkyōkastudious personnoun
  • 勉強ぶりbenkyōburiway of studyingnoun

Word lists with this word