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A2 verb #2,000 le plus courant 5 min de lecture

習う

narau
At the A1 level, you should know that 習う (narau) means 'to learn' from someone. It is used for simple hobbies or school subjects. You use it with the particle を (wo) for the thing you learn and に (ni) for the person who teaches you. For example, 'I learn Japanese' is '日本語を習います' (Nihongo wo naraimasu). It is a very useful word when introducing yourself and your hobbies. You might say, 'I am learning piano' (ピアノを習っています). Remember that it usually implies you have a teacher, not just that you are studying by yourself with a book. At this level, focus on the present and past polite forms: naraimasu and naraimashita.
At the A2 level, you begin to use 習う to describe your habits and past experiences in more detail. You should be comfortable using the 〜ている (te-iru) form to say you are currently taking lessons (習っています). You also start to see it in compound sentences, like 'I learned this kanji in elementary school' (これは小学校で習った漢字です). At this level, you should also understand the difference between narau and benkyou suru. If you are going to a school or a class, narau is the more natural choice. You might also use the potential form 習える (naraeru) to say 'I can learn' something at a specific place.
At the B1 level, you should understand the nuance of 習う as 'learning a skill through repetition.' You will encounter it in more complex grammar structures, such as 習い始める (narai-hajimeru) to start learning, or 習い続ける (narai-tsuzukeru) to continue learning. You should also be able to distinguish narau from manabu and osowaru. Manabu is for academic or deep knowledge, while narau is for practical skills. You might use narau when discussing professional development or traditional Japanese arts (naraigoto). You also start to use the passive form 習われる in specific contexts, though it is less common than the active form.
At the B2 level, you use 習う to discuss the cultural significance of 'learning' in Japan, such as the senpai-kohai relationship. You understand that narau implies a specific type of apprenticeship or guided practice. You can use it in formal writing to describe your educational background or skill acquisition. You should also be aware of the noun form 習い事 (naraigoto), which refers to extracurricular lessons or hobbies, and how it fits into Japanese society. You can discuss the pros and cons of different learning methods, comparing narau (guided) with dokugaku (self-study).
At the C1 level, you appreciate the etymological roots of 習う (the 'wings' radical) and how it relates to the concept of shūtan (mastery through practice). You can use the word in nuanced discussions about pedagogy and the transfer of traditional crafts (dentou kougei). You understand its use in proverbs and idiomatic expressions. You can distinguish between the subtle shades of narau, osowaru, and shūtokusu (to acquire/master). Your usage reflects an understanding of social hierarchy, choosing narau or osowaru based on the level of respect you wish to show the teacher or the institution.
At the C2 level, you have a near-native grasp of 習う. You can use it in literary or highly formal contexts, understanding its historical evolution. You can engage in philosophical debates about the nature of learning—whether true 'learning' (manabu) can exist without 'being taught' (narau). You are familiar with classical variations or related kanji compounds like shūji (calligraphy) or shūkan (habit), which share the same root. You can effortlessly switch between different registers and synonyms to express precise degrees of skill acquisition and mentorship.
Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

習う en 30 secondes

  • Narau means to learn from a teacher or mentor, focusing on the transfer of skills or specific knowledge through guided instruction and repetition.
  • It is primarily used for hobbies (naraigoto), school subjects, and professional skills where a clear instructor-student dynamic exists in the context.
  • Grammatically, it is a Group 1 (Godan) verb. The person teaching is marked with 'ni' or 'kara', and the subject is marked with 'wo'.
  • It differs from 'manabu' (academic/abstract learning) and 'benkyou suru' (general study) by requiring a source of instruction and emphasizing practical application.

The Japanese verb 習う (ならう - narau) is a fundamental pillar of the Japanese language, specifically categorized under the CEFR A2 level. At its core, it means 'to learn' or 'to be taught,' but its usage is far more specific than the English equivalent. Unlike the general term manabu (to learn in a broad or academic sense) or benkyou suru (to study/put in effort), 習う implies a structured transfer of knowledge or skill from a teacher, mentor, or more experienced person to a student.

Core Nuance
It describes the process of receiving instruction. If you are taking piano lessons, attending a karate dojo, or being shown how to use a software by a colleague, you are narau-ing.
The 'Repetition' Aspect
The kanji 習 contains the radical for 'wings' (羽), evoking the image of a young bird flapping its wings repeatedly to learn flight. Thus, 習う suggests learning through practice and repetition under guidance.

「子供の時、近所の先生にピアノを習っていました。」
(When I was a child, I was learning piano from a teacher in the neighborhood.)

In a social context, using 習う acknowledges the presence of a teacher. It is a humble way to describe your learning journey because it implicitly respects the source of the knowledge. This is why it is the standard verb for hobbies (okeiko) like tea ceremony, flower arrangement, or calligraphy. You don't just 'learn' these things; you 'receive' the teaching through the act of 習う.

「私はプロのシェフにイタリア料理を習いたいです。」
(I want to learn Italian cooking from a professional chef.)

Grammatical Function
It is a Godan verb (Group 1). Its dictionary form ends in 'u', which changes to 'i' in the polite form (習います) and 'tte' in the te-form (習って).

Using 習う correctly requires understanding its relationship with other 'learning' verbs. While benkyou suru focuses on the act of studying (hitting the books), and manabu focuses on the acquisition of deep knowledge or abstract concepts, 習う is your go-to verb for skills, crafts, and guided education.

1. The Basic Sentence Pattern

The standard structure is: [Teacher] に [Subject] を 習う. This clearly defines who is providing the knowledge and what is being acquired.

「兄にギターを習いました。」
(I learned guitar from my older brother.)

2. Conjugation Guide

As a Godan verb, it follows the standard 'u' ending patterns. Here is a quick reference table for common forms:

Polite Present
習います (naraimasu)
Polite Past
習いました (naraimashita)
Te-Form (Connecting)
習って (naratte)
Negative
習わない (narawanai)

3. Using with 'Te-iru'

To express that you are currently taking a course or lessons, use the 〜習っている form. This indicates an ongoing habit or a current state of being a student.

「今、週に一回、生け花を習っています。」
(I am currently learning flower arrangement once a week.)

You will encounter 習う in various social settings in Japan, ranging from casual conversations about hobbies to formal educational environments. It is a word that bridges the gap between childhood education and adult lifelong learning.

1. Schools and Classrooms

Students often use this word to describe what they are being taught in class. It emphasizes the curriculum provided by the school.

「これは小学校で習った漢字です。」
(This is a kanji I learned in elementary school.)

2. Hobbies and Lessons (Okeiko)

Japan has a vibrant culture of 'lessons' (習い事 - naraigoto). Whether it's swimming, piano, or traditional arts, 習う is the primary verb used to describe these activities.

Conversation at a party
「最近、何か習い事をしていますか？」 (Are you doing any lessons lately?)
Response
「はい、ヨガを習い始めました。」 (Yes, I've started learning yoga.)

3. Workplace Training

When a new employee is being trained by a senior (senpai), they will use 習う to describe the process of learning the ropes.

「先輩に仕事の進め方を習いました。」
(I learned how to proceed with the work from my senior.)

Even though 習う seems straightforward, learners often confuse it with similar verbs or use it in contexts where a different word would be more natural. Understanding these distinctions is key to reaching B1/B2 fluency.

1. Confusing 'Narau' with 'Manabu'

The biggest mistake is using them interchangeably. Manabu is for deep, academic, or self-reflective learning. Narau is for practical skills from a teacher.

❌ Incorrect
「人生について習いました。」 (I learned about life from a teacher - sounds like a specific school subject.)
✅ Correct
「人生について学びました。」 (I learned about life - through experience/reflection.)

2. The 'Self-Study' Error

You cannot 習う by yourself. If there is no teacher, don't use it.

「一人で日本語を習いました。」 (I learned Japanese by myself - Unnatural)
Instead use: 「独学で日本語を勉強しました。」 (I studied Japanese via self-study.)

3. Confusion with 'Osowaru' (教わる)

Osowaru is the passive-sounding counterpart to narau. While narau is the active 'I learn,' osowaru is 'I am taught.' They are often interchangeable, but osowaru feels slightly more passive and receptive.

To truly master 習う, you must see where it sits in the family of Japanese educational verbs. Here is a breakdown of its 'siblings'.

学ぶ (Manabu)
Focuses on the internal process of acquiring knowledge. It is used for academic subjects, philosophy, and learning from experiences. It is more formal and 'deep' than 習う.
勉強する (Benkyou suru)
Literally 'to exert effort.' This is the most common word for 'studying.' It usually involves books, desks, and preparation for exams. It doesn't require a teacher.
教わる (Osowaru)
The 'receiving' side of teaching. It is almost identical to 習う but focuses more on the teacher's action of teaching you. It is often used for one-off tips or advice.
学習する (Gakushuu suru)
A technical/academic term for 'learning.' You'll see this in textbooks, scientific papers, or when talking about Machine Learning (機械学習).

Comparison Summary

VerbFocusTeacher Needed?
習うSkill/RepetitionYes
学ぶKnowledge/InsightOptional
勉強するEffort/StudyNo
教わるReceiving TeachingYes

How Formal Is It?

Formel

""

Niveau de difficulté

Grammaire à connaître

Exemples par niveau

1

日本語を習います。

I learn Japanese.

Present polite form.

2

先生に習います。

I learn from the teacher.

Particle 'ni' indicates the source.

3

ピアノを習いました。

I learned piano.

Past polite form.

4

何を習いますか？

What do you learn?

Question form.

5

テニスを習いたいです。

I want to learn tennis.

Tai-form (desire).

6

ダンスを習いましょう。

Let's learn dance.

Mashou-form (suggestion).

7

母に料理を習います。

I learn cooking from my mother.

Family member as the teacher.

8

ここで習います。

I learn here.

Particle 'de' for location.

1

今、ギターを習っています。

I am currently learning guitar.

Te-iru form for ongoing action.

2

小学校でこの歌を習いました。

I learned this song in elementary school.

Specific location and time.

3

どこで日本語を習いましたか？

Where did you learn Japanese?

Interrogative 'doko'.

4

泳ぎ方を習いたいです。

I want to learn how to swim.

Verb stem + kata (way of doing).

5

習った漢字を忘れました。

I forgot the kanji I learned.

Relative clause modifying a noun.

6

毎週土曜日に習っています。

I learn every Saturday.

Frequency expression.

7

友達と一緒に習っています。

I am learning together with a friend.

Issho ni (together).

8

習うのは楽しいです。

Learning is fun.

Nominalizing the verb with 'no'.

1

習い始めたばかりなので、まだ下手です。

I've just started learning, so I'm still bad at it.

Stem + hajimeru (start doing).

2

先生に習った通りにやってみてください。

Please try doing it exactly as the teacher taught you.

V-ta + toori ni (as/exactly like).

3

子供の頃から習い続けています。

I have been continuing to learn since I was a child.

Stem + tsuzukeru (continue doing).

4

日本料理を習うために、日本へ来ました。

I came to Japan in order to learn Japanese cooking.

V-u + tame ni (in order to).

5

もっと上手に習える教室を探しています。

I'm looking for a classroom where I can learn better.

Potential form 'naraeru'.

6

習えば習うほど、難しくなります。

The more I learn, the more difficult it becomes.

Ba-form + V-u hodo (the more... the more).

7

茶道を習うのは、礼儀を学ぶことでもあります。

Learning tea ceremony is also about learning etiquette.

Comparing 'narau' and 'manabu'.

8

仕事のやり方を習うのに時間がかかりました。

It took time to learn how to do the job.

V-u + no ni (for the purpose of/in doing).

1

彼は有名な師匠に習った経験がある。

He has experience learning from a famous master.

V-ta + keiken ga aru (have experience).

2

基礎をしっかり習っておかないと、後で困ります。

If you don't learn the basics thoroughly beforehand, you'll have trouble later.

Te-oku (do in advance).

3

学校で習うことと、社会で必要なことは違う。

What you learn in school and what is necessary in society are different.

Noun clause with 'koto'.

4

習い事を通じて、多くの友人ができた。

I made many friends through my lessons.

Tsūjite (through/via).

5

プロに習う機会はめったにない。

Opportunities to learn from a professional are rare.

Metta ni nai (rarely).

6

習ったことを自分のものにするには練習が必要だ。

Practice is necessary to make what you've learned your own.

Jibun no mono ni suru (to master/internalize).

7

誰に習うかによって、上達のスピードが違う。

The speed of progress differs depending on who you learn from.

Ni yotte (depending on).

8

習うより慣れろという言葉があります。

There is a saying, 'Practice makes perfect' (literally: get used to it rather than learning it).

Idiomatic expression/Proverb.

1

伝統芸能を習うことは、文化を継承することに他ならない。

Learning traditional performing arts is nothing less than inheriting culture.

Ni hoka naranai (nothing but/none other than).

2

彼は独学ではなく、正統な流派で習ったそうだ。

I heard he didn't teach himself but learned from an orthodox school.

Sou da (hearsay).

3

幼少期に習ったことは、大人になっても体に染み付いている。

Things learned in early childhood are ingrained in the body even as an adult.

Karada ni shimitsuite iru (ingrained/deep-seated).

4

師に習う際の心構えについて説かれた。

I was lectured on the mental attitude required when learning from a master.

Sai (when/at the time of).

5

習う側の姿勢が、教育の質を左右することもある。

The attitude of the learner can sometimes influence the quality of education.

Sayuu suru (to influence/control).

6

技を習得するには、まず基本を忠実に習うべきだ。

To master a technique, one should first learn the basics faithfully.

Beki da (should).

7

一流の技術を間近で習える環境は貴重だ。

An environment where you can learn top-tier techniques up close is precious.

Majika de (up close).

8

習った知識をどう活用するかが、今後の課題である。

How to utilize the knowledge learned is the challenge for the future.

Kongo no kadai (future challenge).

1

古の賢者に習い、己を律する。

Following the example of ancient sages, I discipline myself.

Literary use of 'narau' (to follow/imitate).

2

習うという行為の本質は、模倣から創造への昇華にある。

The essence of the act of learning lies in the sublimation from imitation to creation.

Formal philosophical statement.

3

先人の知恵を習い、現代の諸問題に対処する。

Learning from the wisdom of our predecessors, we address modern problems.

High-level vocabulary (shojondai).

4

師弟関係において、習うことは単なる知識の伝達ではない。

In a master-disciple relationship, learning is not merely the transmission of knowledge.

Tan naru (mere).

5

習うべき対象を見極める眼力が必要だ。

One needs the insight to discern who or what is worth learning from.

Ganriki (insight/discernment).

6

伝統を習いつつも、革新を恐れてはならない。

While learning tradition, one must not fear innovation.

Tsutsu mo (while/despite).

7

習うことの限界を知ることで、真の独創性が生まれる。

By knowing the limits of being taught, true originality is born.

Formal structure.

8

生涯を通じて習い続ける姿勢こそが、人間を成長させる。

It is precisely the attitude of continuing to learn throughout one's life that makes a human grow.

Koso (emphasis).

Collocations courantes

ピアノを習う (learn piano)
先生に習う (learn from a teacher)
基礎を習う (learn the basics)
学校で習う (learn at school)
習い事をする (do lessons/hobbies)
泳ぎ方を習う (learn how to swim)
作法を習う (learn etiquette)
一から習う (learn from scratch)
熱心に習う (learn eagerly)
長年習う (learn for many years)

Phrases Courantes

習い事 (naraigoto - lessons/hobbies)

習い始め (narai-hajime - start of learning)

見よう見まねで習う (learn by watching and imitating)

手取り足取り習う (be taught very closely/step-by-step)

習うより慣れろ (practice makes perfect)

お習字 (oshuuji - calligraphy practice)

習いに行く (go to learn/take lessons)

独学で習う (unnatural - usually 'benkyou')

一を習って十を知る (learn one thing and know ten - very clever)

門前の小僧習わぬ経を読む (the boy at the temple gate recites sutras he hasn't been taught - learning by osmosis)

Souvent confondu avec

習う vs 学ぶ (manabu)

習う vs 勉強する (benkyou suru)

習う vs 教わる (osowaru)

Expressions idiomatiques

""

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""

""

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Facile à confondre

習う vs 慣れる (nareru)

習う vs 鳴る (naru)

習う vs 並ぶ (narabu)

習う vs 習わし (narawashi)

習う vs 笑う (warau)

Structures de phrases

Comment l'utiliser

self study limit

Never use 'narau' for self-study. Use 'benkyou suru' or 'dokugaku suru'.

active vs passive

Narau is active. If you want to sound more like the recipient of the teaching, use 'osowaru'.

Erreurs courantes
  • Using 'narau' for self-study.
  • Using 'wo' for the teacher.
  • Confusing 'narau' with 'narau' (to follow - rare kanji).
  • Using 'narau' for abstract life lessons.
  • Forgetting the 'u' to 'tte' change in te-form.

Astuces

Particle Ni

Always use 'ni' for the teacher. 'Sensei ni narau' is the gold standard.

Naraigoto

Learn the word 'naraigoto' (習い事). It's a very common topic in Japanese small talk.

Ongoing Action

Use 'naratte imasu' to talk about your current hobbies. It sounds more active and committed.

Respect

Using 'narau' shows you respect the person who taught you. It acknowledges their expertise.

Wings

Remember the 'wings' radical in 習. Learning is like a bird practicing flight.

Skill vs Knowledge

Use 'narau' for skills (piano, swimming) and 'manabu' for knowledge (history, science).

Compound Verbs

Try using 'narai-hajimeru' (start learning) to sound more advanced.

Context Clues

If you hear 'naratte ita', the speaker is likely reminiscing about their childhood.

Small Talk

Ask 'Nani ka naratte imasu ka?' to start a conversation about hobbies.

Narau = Now

Narau is what you do 'Now' with a teacher.

Mémorise-le

Origine du mot

Contexte culturel

Many 'naraigoto' have seasonal themes, especially in traditional arts.

In a workplace, a kohai (junior) will 'narau' from a senpai (senior).

In martial arts, 'narau' involves not just technique but also spiritual discipline.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Amorces de conversation

"何か習い事をしていますか？ (Are you doing any lessons/hobbies?)"

"日本語はどこで習いましたか？ (Where did you learn Japanese?)"

"子供の時、何を習っていましたか？ (What were you learning when you were a child?)"

"新しいことを習いたいと思っていますか？ (Are you thinking about learning something new?)"

"誰に料理を習いましたか？ (Who did you learn cooking from?)"

Sujets d'écriture

今日、新しく習ったことを書いてください。 (Write about something new you learned today.)

将来、習いたいと思っていることは何ですか？ (What is something you want to learn in the future?)

今まで習ったことの中で、一番役に立ったことは何ですか？ (Of all the things you've learned, what has been the most useful?)

先生に習うのと、一人で勉強するのはどちらが好きですか？ (Do you prefer learning from a teacher or studying alone?)

あなたが誰かに教えられることは何ですか？ (What is something you could teach someone else?)

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

No, 'narau' implies a person is teaching you. For books, use 'benkyou suru' or 'manabu'.

It is a standard verb. To be polite, use 'naraimasu'. To be very humble, you might use 'osowaru' or 'go-kyouju wo tamawaru' in extreme cases.

It refers to extracurricular lessons or hobbies like piano, swimming, or calligraphy.

Usually 'manabu' is better for 'learning a lesson' from life or mistakes.

They are mostly interchangeable, but 'ni' is more common for individuals, while 'kara' can feel like the knowledge is flowing from a source/institution.

Use 'naraitai desu'.

Yes, when a senior is showing you how to do a task.

It is 習.

In some advanced or literary contexts, it can mean to follow an example, but its primary meaning is to learn from a teacher.

It is a Group 1 (Godan) verb.

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