Japanese word

習う

Pronunciation

Romajinarau

Meaning

  • verblearn

Example

私は先生に英語を習います。watashi wa sen sei ni ei go o nara i ma su

I learn English from my teacher.

Illustration for 習う (learn)

More examples

学校で先生に漢字を習います。gak kō de sen sei ni kan ji o nara i ma su

I learn kanji from my teacher at school.

母から料理を習いました。haha ka ra ryō ri o nara i ma shi ta

I learned how to cook from my mother.

Core concept

The word describes gaining knowledge or skill by receiving guidance and practicing what is taught.

Common phrases

  • 英語を習うei go o nara u

    learn English

  • 先生に習うsen sei ni nara u

    learn from a teacher

  • ピアノを習うpi a no o nara u

    take piano lessons

Similar words

教わるosowaru: To learn directly from someone who teaches knowledge or a skill.
学ぶmanabu: To gain knowledge or skill through study or experience.

Definition in Japanese

教えを受けて練習し、知識や技術を身につける。oshi e o u ke te ren shū shi chi shiki ya gi jutsu o mi ni tsu ke ru

Word origin

The Japanese verb 習う (narau) comes from the native verb form 習ふ (narafu), with a sense tied to receiving instruction and repeatedly practicing it.

Usage tips

  • With 習う (narau), the teacher is marked by に (ni) and the subject being learned by を (o), which separates the source of instruction from its content.

Other meanings

  • be taughtverb
  • take lessons in ___verb

Opposites

Related words

  • 習い方naraikataway of learningnoun

Word lists with this word