練習する
renshū suru
To say "I practice" in Japanese, use 練習する (renshū suru), the plain verb for practicing a skill. Japanese usually leaves out the word for I when it is clear who is practicing.
練習する is used for practicing skills like sports, musical instruments or languages. It is not used for practicing a profession, such as a doctor practicing medicine.
What does it mean word for word?
練習 (renshū) means practice and する (suru) means do, so the phrase literally says do practice.
Which one should you use?
練習します is the standard polite way to say I practice to strangers or superiors. 私は練習をしています。 means I am practicing. 練習をしております。 is a formal way to say it, using the humble おります. 私は練習しているよ。 is an informal way to say I practice.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
練習する is the dictionary form, used in casual speech, when talking to yourself or when writing in a journal. 練習します is polite. 私は練習をしています。 and 練習をしております。 are formal.
How does it change in a sentence?
The past tense of 練習する is 練習しました, I practiced. The continuous form 練習しています means you are practicing right now or practice regularly.
How do you pronounce it?
It is pronounced renshū suru. The ū is a long u, held a little longer than a short one.
Did you know?
- The kanji 練 (ren) in 練習 (renshū) originally referred to the process of refining or kneading silk. The word evolved from the physical act of softening fabric to the mental act of refining a skill.
- While 練習する is for skill building, the word 稽古 (keiko) is used for practicing traditional arts like karate or kabuki. In these contexts, the word implies a spiritual discipline rather than just mechanical repetition.
- If you want to say you are 'practicing' a profession or a trade, you should not use 練習する (renshū suru), but rather the verb 修業する (shūgyō suru) which implies a period of ascetic training or apprenticeship.
Examples in context
- 毎日、ピアノを練習する。Mainichi, piano o renshuu suru.I practice the piano every day.
- テニスを練習する時間はありますか？Tenisu o renshuu suru jikan wa arimasu ka?Do you have time to practice tennis?
- もっと上手くなるために練習する。Motto umaku naru tame ni renshuu suru.I practice to get better.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their hobbies.
- 結衣 Yui蓮は何か楽器を弾く？Ren wa nanika gakki o hiku?Ren, do you play any instruments?
- 蓮 Renうん、ギターを練習するよ。un, gitā o renshū suru yo.Yeah, I practice the guitar.
- 結衣 Yuiすごいね！いつ練習するの？sugoi ne! itsu renshū suru no?That's great! When do you practice?
- 蓮 Renだいたい夜に練習する。daitai yoru ni renshū suru.I usually practice at night.
