学ぶ
manabu[ma̠na̠bɯ̟]
To study in Japanese is to say 学ぶ (manabu) or 勉強する (benkyō suru).
Meaning: to acquire knowledge (verb)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 学ぶ | manabu | [ma̠na̠bɯ̟] (narrow) |
| 勉強する | benkyō suru |
The verb is used to express the acquisition of knowledge. While both forms relate to studying, they are used in different contexts. 勉強する is the most common way to describe daily activities like doing homework or preparing for an exam.
What does it mean word for word?
The noun 勉強 (benkyō) literally translates to 'forced effort' or 'compulsory exertion', which reflects the mental discipline required to study.
Which one should you use?
学ぶ is used for broader, more academic or deeper concepts of learning, such as acquiring a life skill or a profound academic subject. In contrast, 勉強する is more specific to the active, daily effort of studying a particular subject.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
manabu
Did you know?
- While 勉強する (benkyō suru) is the common word for studying, its root meaning of 'forced effort' is also used in shopping. A 'benkyō' price refers to a special discount where the seller has 'studied' the price down for the customer.
- The word 学ぶ originally comes from the idea of 'imitating' or 'copying' something to learn it. It stems from the word 真似 (mana), meaning to imitate.
- In a traditional apprenticeship, a student does not just 勉強する (study) the craft but 学ぶ (learns) by observing the master, keeping the original meaning of 'imitation' alive.
Examples in context
- 明日勉強するよ。I'll study tomorrow.This sentence shows the use of 勉強する to express a future intent to study.Tatoeba #11314712 by bunbuku, translation #11263613 by CK
- 明日は勉強するの？Will you study tomorrow?This sentence shows how to ask a question about studying using 勉強する.Tatoeba #9028768 by bunbuku, translation #68897 by CK
- 明日は勉強するよ。Tomorrow, I'll study.This sentence demonstrates the use of 勉強する for a future action.Tatoeba #11314711 by bunbuku, translation #11263616 by CK
- Kyō wa benkyō ni tsuite no kōgi ga arimasu. (今日は勉強についての講義があります。)Today, there's a lecture about studying.
- Gakushū wa atarashii sekai e no tobira desu. (学習は新しい世界への扉です。)Studying is a door to a new world.
- Benkyō suru no wa muzukashii. (勉強するのは難しい。)Studying is difficult.
- 81 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Misaki and Ren are discussing their interests in a cafe.
- 美咲 Misaki今は何を学んでいるの？Ima wa nani o manande iru no?What are you studying right now?
- 蓮 Ren日本の歴史を学んでいます。Nihon no rekishi o manande imasu.I am studying Japanese history.
- 美咲 Misakiそれはとても面白そうね。Sore wa totemo omoshirosou ne.That sounds very interesting.
- 蓮 Renうん、新しいことを学ぶのは楽しいよ。Un, atarashii koto o manabu no wa tanashii yo.Yeah, learning new things is fun.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “study” translations and entries 学ぶ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 学ぶ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
