Which one should you use?
While よく勉強して is an encouraging suggestion, you might encounter other versions depending on the tone. The phrase ちゃんと勉強しろよ means "Study properly" or "Study seriously". In contrast, よく勉強しろ uses the blunt imperative form to create a forceful command and よく勉強してください is a polite request used by teachers or adults speaking to students.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The phrase よく勉強して serves as a soft, encouraging suggestion. For a more formal and polite request, such as when a teacher is speaking to a student, you should use よく勉強してください. Conversely, the form よく勉強しろ is an imperative, blunt and forceful command often used by much older authority figures or in aggressive contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
The use of the te-form して in よく勉強して functions as a soft command or a request, which makes the phrase sound like an encouraging suggestion rather than a harsh order.
How do you pronounce it?
yoku benkyō shite
Did you know?
- The term 勉強 can also be used in a commercial context to mean 'a discount' or 'a price reduction', as in 勉強する meaning 'to lower the price'.
- The word 勉強 ('study') originally meant 'forcing oneself to exert effort' or 'striving' and was used for any hard work, not just academic learning.
- Telling a friend or a boss よく勉強して would be considered patronizing. This is because the phrase functions as a soft command, which assumes the speaker is in a higher social position than the listener.
Examples in context
- もっとよく勉強して、合格しよう！Motto yoku benkyō shite, gōkaku shiyō!Study even harder and let's pass!
Example conversation
陽葵 is preparing for an important entrance exam at home.
- 陽太 Yota陽葵、試験が近いからよく勉強してね。Himari, shiken ga chikai kara yoku benkyō shite ne.Himari, study well since the exam is soon.
- 陽葵 Himariうん、頑張るよ、陽太さん。Un, ganbaru yo, Yōta-san.Yeah, I'll do my best, Yōta.
- 陽太 Yota応援しているよ。Ōen shite iru yo.I'm rooting for you.
- 陽葵 Himariありがとう！Arigatō!Thank you!
