日本語を勉強しています
The English phrase "i learn japanese" is translated into Japanese as 日本語を勉強しています.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 日本語を勉強しています breaks down into 日本語 (Japanese language), を (object marker) and 勉強しています (am studying).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For formal situations, you can use 私は日本語を習っています to say "I am learning Japanese" or 日本語の勉強をしています to say "I am studying Japanese". For informal or casual settings, use 私は日本語を勉強しているよ to express that you are studying Japanese or 日本語を勉強中だよ to convey that you are currently in the process of studying. You can also use the casual explanatory tone of 日本語の勉強してるんだよ or drop the "i" in しています to make it 日本語を勉強してる for a more conversational sound.
Did you know?
- In Japanese, the word for 'study' 勉強 (benkyō) originally meant 'to exert oneself' or 'to force'. This is because historically, studying was viewed as a rigorous and taxing effort rather than a leisure activity.
- If you use 習っています (naratte imasu) instead of 勉強しています, you are implying that you have a teacher or a mentor. 勉強 refers to the act of studying in general, while 習う refers specifically to learning a skill from someone else.
- In a classroom setting, students might use the phrase 勉強になります (benkyō ni narimasu) to thank a teacher. This literally means 'it becomes a study', but it functions as a way to say 'I have learned something valuable'.
Examples in context
- 今日、新しい単語を５つ覚えました！Today, I learned five new vocabulary words!
- 今、日本語を勉強しています。Ima, nihongo o benkyou shiteimasu.I am studying Japanese now.
- 独学で日本語を勉強しています。Dokugaku de nihongo o benkyou shiteimasu.I am studying Japanese on my own.
- 仕事のために日本語を勉強しています。Shigoto no tame ni nihongo o benkyou shiteimasu.I am studying Japanese for my work.
Example conversation
Ren and Misaki are talking at a cafe.
- 美咲 Misaki蓮さんは何をしていますか？Ren-san wa nani o shiteimasu ka?What are you doing, Ren?
- 蓮 Ren日本語を勉強しています。Nihongo o benkyou shiteimasu.I am studying Japanese.
- 美咲 Misakiすごいですね！Sugoi desu ne!That's amazing!
- 蓮 Renありがとうございます。Arigatou gozaimasu.Thank you very much.
