How to Say "To Study" in Japanese

勉強する

benkyō suru

To study in Japanese is 勉強する (benkyō suru).

The phrase refers to spending time learning a subject or skill, often by reading books or attending classes.

What does it mean word for word?

This phrase is a 'suru-verb', created by combining the noun 勉強, which can mean 'study' or 'diligence' and 'hard work', with the verb する (to do).

The past tense of 勉強する is 勉強した. To express that someone is currently in the process of studying, use the continuous form 勉強しています.

benkyō suru

The word 勉強 can be used as a noun meaning 'a discount' in a commercial setting, where a shopkeeper might 'study' the price down for a customer.
In a Japanese classroom, the phrase 勉強になります (benkyō ni narimasu) is often used to thank a senior for their advice, meaning 'I have learned something from you'.
The kanji in 勉強 literally mean 'effort' and 'strong', suggesting that learning is an act of forcing oneself through hardship rather than a passive intake of information.

私は勉強するつもりです。
I am going to study.
This sentence is useful for expressing an intention to use 勉強する.
Tatoeba #152896 by bunbuku, translation #261650 by CK
勉強するために来てます。
I come here to study.
This sentence shows how to express a purpose using 勉強する.
Tatoeba #11118152 by small_snow, translation #11112652 by carlosalberto
勉強するのが学生の本分だ。
It is the role of a student to study.
This sentence uses 勉強する to describe a student's role.
Tatoeba #83313 by small_snow, translation #320403 by CM
大学で数学を勉強しています。
I am studying mathematics at university.
彼は真剣に勉強しています。
He is studying seriously.
日本語を学習しています。
I am learning Japanese.
彼女は毎日一生懸命学習しています。
She studies diligently every day.
今日はテストがあるから、朝からずっと勉強している。
I have a test today, so I've been studying since morning.
友達と勉強しようと思っている。
I am thinking of studying with my friend.
45 more sentences on Tatoeba

Kenta and Yui are talking in a cafe about their weekend plans.

健太 Kenta

結衣さんは今週末、何をしますか？
Yui-san wa konshuumatsu, nani o shimasu ka?
Yui, what are you doing this weekend?
結衣 Yui

家で英語を勉強するつもりです。
Ie de eigo o benkyou suru tsumori desu.
I intend to study English at home.
健太 Kenta

僕は友達とサッカーをします。
Boku wa tomodachi to sakkaa o shimasu.
I am going to play soccer with my friends.
結衣 Yui

健太さんはとても活動的ですね。
Kenta-san wa totemo katsudouteki desu ne.
Kenta, you are very active.

Sources

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