習う
ならう
narau
= to learn / to take lessons / to study
Narau (習う) means ‘to learn,’ ‘to study,’ or ‘to take lessons.’ It emphasizes learning from a teacher or through instruction.
Narau is a regular u-verb meaning to learn, usually through formal instruction or lessons. ‘Piano wo narau’ (learn/take piano lessons). Unlike ‘benkyou suru’ (to study), narau implies learning from a teacher or through practice. Narau is the counterpart to ‘oshieru’ (to teach).
Narau is a u-verb: nar-au → nar-anai (doesn’t learn), narai-ta (learned). Common: ‘sensei kara narau’ (learn from a teacher), ‘kodomotachi ga piano wo narau’ (children take piano lessons).
習 (narau) depicts a bird practicing flight, representing learning through repetition.
Everyday use
毎週火曜日に英会話を習っています。
Maishuu kayoubi ni eikaiwa wo naratte imasu.
I take English conversation lessons every Tuesday.
Casual / Social Media
彼女は小さい時からバレエを習っていました。
Kanojo wa chiisai toki kara baree wo naratte imashita.
She had been taking ballet lessons since she was small.
Formal / Cultural context
日本文化を習うことは大切です。
Nihon bunka wo narau koto wa taissetsu desu.
Learning Japanese culture is important.
Narau embodies the Japanese emphasis on learning from masters and structured instruction. Mentorship relationships are formal and carry social significance.
Taking lessons (narau) in traditional arts, music, or martial arts is common and culturally valued.
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