習(なら)う

ならう
verb (godan)
to learn, to take lessons
1. to learn, to take lessons
To acquire knowledge or skills from a teacher or through study. Emphasizes learning from someone.
日本語(にほんご)を習(なら)う。
I learn Japanese.
ピアノを習(なら)いたい。
I want to learn piano.
先生(せんせい)に習(なら)いました。
I learned from my teacher.
子供(こども)の時(とき)から水泳(すいえい)を習(なら)っている。
I've been taking swimming lessons since I was a child.
料理(りょうり)を習(なら)い始(はじ)めて三(さん)か月(げつ)だが、少(すこ)しずつ上手(じょうず)になってきた。
It's been three months since I started taking cooking lessons, and I'm gradually getting better.

TRANSITIVITY: 他動詞(たどうし) (transitive). No pair verb. Pattern: Xを習(なら)う (learn X) / Xに習(なら)う (learn from X).

ASPECT: ている indicates ongoing action. 習(なら)っている = 'is learning/taking lessons.'

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • 日本語(にほんご)を習(なら)う (learn Japanese)
  • ピアノを習(なら)う (learn piano)
  • 先生(せんせい)に習(なら)う (learn from teacher)
  • 習(なら)い事(ごと) (lessons/extracurricular activities)

Counterpart: 教(おし)える (to teach). Emphasizes learning from someone.

Related Words

See also: 教(おし)える
basic
Added 2026.1.7 21:40 · Revised 2026.2.7 18:29
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