復習する

The Japanese verb 復習する (fukushū suru) is a cornerstone of the Japanese educational and self-improvement lexicon. At its most fundamental level, it means 'to review' or 'to go over' material that has already been studied. However, the cultural weight it carries in Japan is significantly heavier than the English word 'review' might suggest. In the Japanese context, learning is often viewed as a cyclical process consisting of yoshū (preparation/preview), the lesson itself, and fukushū (review). Without the review phase, the learning process is considered incomplete, like building a house without a foundation.

Core Concept

The act of revisiting previously learned information to solidify it in long-term memory. It is a proactive, disciplined approach to preventing the 'forgetting curve.'

Active vs. Passive

Unlike simply 'looking at' notes, 復習する implies an active engagement—re-solving problems, re-reading texts with a critical eye, or testing oneself on vocabulary.

The kanji themselves tell a story. 復 (fuku) means 'to return' or 'to repeat,' while 習 (shū) means 'to learn' or 'to practice.' Together, they literally mean 'to return to learning.' This reflects the Japanese pedagogical belief that mastery is not achieved through brilliance, but through the humble and persistent act of returning to the basics. You will hear this word constantly in schools from elementary age through university, in 'juku' (cram schools), and in professional development settings. It is a word that commands respect; telling a teacher or boss that you are 'properly reviewing' shows a high level of commitment to your growth.

Beyond the classroom, fukushū suru is used in any context where one needs to refresh their knowledge. A pianist might review a piece they haven't played in years; a doctor might review a medical procedure before a rare surgery. It implies a gap in time—you knew it once, and now you are making sure you still know it. In modern contexts, digital tools like Anki or Duolingo leverage the power of 'spaced repetition,' which is essentially a scientific optimization of the fukushū process.

Register

Standard/Neutral. It can be used in formal writing and polite conversation, as well as casual settings among friends discussing their studies.

In summary, 復習する is more than just a verb; it is a manifestation of the Japanese value of 'doryoku' (effort). It signifies that the learner takes responsibility for their own understanding and recognizes that learning is an ongoing journey rather than a one-time event. Whether you are a student, a professional, or a hobbyist, mastering the habit of fukushū is the most reliable path to success in the Japanese-speaking world.

Grammatically, 復習する is a 'Suru-verb' (Noun + する). This means the noun form 復習 (fukushū) can function independently as 'a review,' or it can be combined with 'suru' to form the action 'to review.' Understanding this flexibility is key to using the word naturally in various sentence structures.

Structure 1: Object + を + 復習する

This is the most common way to specify what you are reviewing. Use the particle 'wo' to mark the subject matter.
Example: 漢字を復習する (Review kanji).

Structure 2: [Noun] の 復習

This treats 'review' as a noun. You might say 'The review of the lesson is important.'
Example: レッスンの復習が大切です (The review of the lesson is important).

When using 復習する, you can modify it with adverbs to show the intensity or frequency of the review. Common adverbs include shikkari (thoroughly), mainichi (every day), nando mo (many times), and kanryō saseru (to complete). For example, 'shikkari fukushū suru' implies a very deep and focused study session, whereas 'karuku fukushū suru' might mean a quick glance over notes.

In formal settings, such as a business presentation or a lecture, you might hear the humble or polite forms. A speaker might say, 'Saigo ni, kyō no pointo o fukushū shimashō' (Lastly, let's review today's points). This usage is very common to ensure everyone is on the same page. It's also worth noting that 復習する can be used for physical skills, not just academic knowledge. An athlete might review their form by watching video footage (eizō o fukushū suru), or a dancer might review their steps.

Common Pairing

Often paired with wasurenai uchi ni (before I forget).
Example: 忘れないうちに、習ったことを復習する。 (Review what I learned before I forget it.)

Finally, consider the nuances of 'fukushū' versus 'renshū' (practice). While you 'renshū' (practice) a piano piece to get better at the physical movement, you 'fukushū' (review) the theory or the notes you learned during the lesson. The two often overlap, but 復習する always points back to a specific moment of instruction or learning that occurred in the past.

If you spend any time in a Japanese educational environment, 復習する will be one of the most frequent verbs you encounter. It is the language of the classroom, the tutor, and the study app. But its presence extends into the corporate world and daily life as well, appearing in contexts where consistency and retention are valued.

In Schools (Elementary to University)

Teachers use it to assign homework or start a lesson. 'Let's review last week's homework' (Senshū no shukudai o fukushū shimashō) is a standard opening line. It is also found in textbooks at the end of every chapter under the heading 'Fukushū Mondai' (Review Problems).

In Language Learning Apps

If you set your phone's language to Japanese, apps like Duolingo, Memrise, or Wanikani will use the term fukushū for their 'Review' or 'Practice' buttons. It is the technical term for SRS (Spaced Repetition System) sessions.

In the business world, 復習する is used during training seminars (kenshū). After a long day of learning new software or company policies, the facilitator might say, 'Ashita no asa, kyō no naiyō o fukushū shimasu' (Tomorrow morning, we will review today's content). It is also used when discussing project post-mortems—reviewing what was learned from a past project to apply it to the next one, though 'furikaeru' (to look back) is also common there.

You will also hear it in hobbyist circles. For example, in a martial arts dojo (like Karate or Kendo), the sensei might tell students to 'fukushū' a specific 'kata' (form) at home. Even in driving schools in Japan, the instructors will emphasize fukushū of the traffic rules and signs. Anywhere there is a formal body of knowledge to be mastered, fukushū suru is the verb of choice. It carries an aura of diligence and seriousness that 'looking over' simply doesn't convey.

In Media

In anime or manga centered around school life (like 'Assassination Classroom' or 'Blue Period'), the characters are often shown 'fukushū-ing' for their midterms or entrance exams. It’s a trope that emphasizes their hard work and growth.

Ultimately, hearing 復習する is a signal that the speaker values long-term retention over short-term performance. It is a word that builds bridges between the past (what was learned) and the future (the test or application where that knowledge will be needed).

While 復習する seems straightforward, English speakers often trip up by confusing it with related concepts like 'practice,' 'rehearsal,' or 'checking.' Japanese has very specific boundaries for these words, and using the wrong one can sound unnatural or even confusing to a native speaker.

Mistake 1: Confusing 復習 (Review) with 練習 (Practice)

You renshū a skill (like sports, piano, or speaking). You fukushū knowledge (like grammar rules, kanji, or historical facts). If you say 'Piano o fukushū suru,' it sounds like you are reviewing the theory of piano rather than actually playing it. Use renshū for physical/mechanical repetition.

Mistake 2: Confusing 復習 (Review) with 予習 (Preview)

This is a common beginner mistake. Yoshū is what you do before the lesson to prepare. Fukushū is what you do after the lesson. Mixing these up in a classroom setting will confuse your teacher about your level of preparation.

Another mistake is using 復習する when you actually mean 'to check for errors.' If you have just finished writing an essay and you want to look it over for mistakes, the word you want is mi-naosu (見直す) or kakunin suru (確認する). Fukushū suru implies a broader study session to reinforce learning, not a specific proofreading task.

Finally, avoid using 復習する for 'rehearsing' a performance. For a play, a speech, or a wedding toast, the correct word is renshū or rihāsuru. Fukushū is too academic for these contexts. If you 'fukushū' a speech, it sounds like you are studying the vocabulary of the speech rather than practicing the delivery. Keep fukushū in the realm of knowledge retention, and you will avoid the most common pitfalls.

Summary of Misuse

1. Using it for skills (use 練習).
2. Using it for preparation (use 予習).
3. Using it for proofreading (use 見直す).
4. Using it for performance rehearsal (use 練習).

While 復習する is the most versatile and common word for 'to review,' Japanese offers several alternatives that carry different nuances of formality, scope, and intent. Knowing when to use these can make your Japanese sound much more sophisticated and precise.

おさらいする (O-sarai suru)

This is a softer, slightly more traditional or casual term for 'reviewing.' It is often used in the context of traditional arts (like tea ceremony or dance) or for a quick recap of a lesson. It feels less 'heavy' than fukushū. A teacher might say 'Kyō no o-sarai o shimashō' (Let's do a quick recap of today).

見直す (Mi-naosu)

This literally means 'to look again.' It is used for checking, proofreading, or reconsidering a plan. While fukushū is about memory, mi-naosu is about quality control or finding errors. If you 'mi-naosu' your notes, you are checking if they are correct.

振り返る (Furi-kaeru)

Meaning 'to look back,' this is used for reflection. It is common in business or personal growth contexts. You 'furi-kaeru' on a project or a year to see what went well. It is more emotional and holistic than the academic fukushū.

In academic papers or formal reports, you might encounter 再確認する (Sa-kakunin suru), which means 'to re-confirm.' This is used when the focus is on verifying facts rather than studying them. Another term is 温故知新 (On-ko-chi-shin), a four-character idiom (yojijukugo) that means 'learning from the past to know the new.' While not a direct synonym for 'reviewing,' it captures the philosophical spirit of why one reviews.

For specific tasks, such as 'reviewing a contract' or 'reviewing a movie,' Japanese uses different words entirely. A contract is kentō suru (検討する - to examine/consider), and a movie review is a rebyū (レビュー) or hyōka (評価). Be careful not to use fukushū for these—it would imply you are trying to memorize the contract or the movie for a test!

Advanced Alternative: さらう (Sarau)

A more literary or old-fashioned word for going over something thoroughly. It is often used for reviewing a script or a musical score. It implies a 'sweeping' or 'cleaning up' of one's knowledge.