Japanese word

学問

Pronunciation

Romajigakumon

Meaning

  • nounlearning

Example

学問は世界を知る力になります。gaku mon wa se kai o shi ru chikara ni na ri ma su

Learning helps us understand the world.

Illustration for 学問 (learning)

More examples

大学では学問だけでなく、実社会で役立つ経験も大切です。dai gaku de wa gaku mon da ke de na ku jitsu sha kai de yaku da tsu kei ken mo tai setsu de su

At university, practical experience is as important as academic study.

Core concept

Learning is the organized pursuit of understanding through sustained study and inquiry.

Common phrases

  • 学問を修めるgaku mon o osa me ru

    pursue academic study

  • 学問に励むgaku mon ni hage mu

    devote oneself to study

  • 学問の自由gaku mon no ji yū

    academic freedom

Similar words

学習gakushū: The process of gaining knowledge or skills through study and practice.
勉強benkyō: The activity of studying to gain knowledge or improve ability.

Definition in Japanese

知識を得るために、物事を系統的に調べて学ぶこと。また、そこで得た知識。chi shiki o e ru ta me ni mono goto o kei tō teki ni shira be te mana bu ko to ma ta so ko de e ta chi shiki

Word origin

The compound 学問 (gakumon) combines 学 (gaku, "learning") and 問 (mon, "question"), expressing the pursuit of knowledge through study and inquiry.

Usage tips

  • The word appears in the well-known title 学問のすすめ (Gakumon no susume), Fukuzawa Yukichi's 1872 work that presents learning as a path to personal independence.

Other meanings

  • knowledgenoun
  • academic studynoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 学問的gakumontekiacademicna-adjective

Word lists with this word