習う To Learn

Meaning

Primary

To Learn

Alternative

To Take Lessons In

Word Type

transitive verb, godan verb

Explanation

This word consists of kanji with hiragana attached. Because the hiragana ends with an う sound, you know this word is a verb. The kanji itself means learn so the vocab verb version means to learn or to take lessons in something.

Reading

ならう

Explanation

Since this word consists of a kanji with hiragana attached, you can bet that it will use the kun'yomi reading. You didn't learn that reading with this kanji, so here's a mnemonic to help you:

You have to learn about Nara, the city of deer... lots and lots of deer. If you don't know about it, how about learning about it?

Context

Common Word Combinations

• 〜を習う

  ダンスを習う

  to take dance lessons

  バイオリンを習う

  to take violin lessons

  ピアノを習う

  to learn piano

• 〜で習う

  小学校で習う

  to learn in elementary school

  三年生で習う

  to learn as a third year student

  学校で習う

  to learn at school

Context Sentences

ここは、日本のマナーを習う教室です。

This is a classroom to learn Japanese manners.

すみません、スペイン語の作文を習いたいんですが。

Excuse me, I would like to learn Spanish composition.

この町の中学生は、みんなピアノかサッカーを習っています。

Junior high school students in this town are all taking lessons in piano or soccer.

Kanji Composition

1. 習

   しゅう Learn