勉強しています
benkyō shite imasu
In Japanese, "I am studying" is expressed as 勉強しています (benkyō shite imasu).
The phrase is used to state that you are currently in the process of learning or reviewing a subject.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 勉強 is a noun meaning 'study' or 'learning'.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the phrase in the polite form, use 勉強しています. The informal version is 勉強している. If you want to change the phrase to the past tense to say "I studied", use 勉強しました.
How do you pronounce it?
benkyō shite imasu
Did you know?
- In a business context, 勉強 can be used as slang for giving a discount. A shopkeeper might say they will 'study' the price to lower it for a customer.
- The word 勉強 (benkyō) literally translates to 'forcing oneself to do something' or 'exerting effort'. It suggests that studying is an act of discipline rather than just a passive absorption of knowledge.
- If you are studying for a test, you might use the word 勉強 but for 'studying' a musical instrument or a craft, Japanese people often use 稽古 ('keiko') instead.
Examples in context
- 日本語を勉強しています。I am studying Japanese.This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase 勉強しています with the object of Japanese.Tatoeba #975671 by ultrasaurus, translation #3962698 by JSakuragi
- 私は漢字を勉強しています。I am studying kanji.This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase 勉強しています with the object of kanji.Tatoeba #792547 by ryanthewired, translation #792548 by ryanthewired
- 私はプリマス大学で電気工学を勉強しています。I am studying electrical engineering at the University of Plymouth.This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase 勉強しています with a specific field of study and a university.Tatoeba #1671522 by fobos3, translation #1671512 by fobos3
Example conversation
Misaki and Hiroto are talking on the phone.
- 美咲 Misaki今、何をしていますか。Ima, nani o shite imasu ka.What are you doing right now?
- 大翔 Hiroto数学を勉強しています。Sūgaku o benkyō shite imasu.I am studying mathematics.
- 美咲 Misaki大変そうですね。頑張ってください。Taihen sō desu ne. Ganbatte kudasai.That sounds tough. Good luck.
- 大翔 Hirotoありがとうございます。Arigatō gozaimasu.Thank you very much.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
