benkyou-suru-vs-narau

When you say “I studied Japanese” and “I learned Japanese from a teacher,” do you use the same verb in Japanese? Many English speakers reach for 勉強する (benkyou-suru) for both — but that is only half the picture. Japanese distinguishes between studying on your own and being taught by someone, and that distinction is captured by the pair 勉強する vs. 習う (narau). Once you understand the difference, your Japanese will sound far more natural.

Yuka

Quick question, Rei — when should I use 勉強する versus 習う?

Rei

Ah, a classic mix-up! They’re related but definitely not interchangeable. I’ll explain with examples and it’ll make perfect sense.

At a Glance: 勉強する vs. 習う

勉強する (benkyou-suru) — To Study

勉強する is the general, versatile verb for “to study.” It covers any kind of learning activity — reading textbooks alone at home, attending classes, reviewing notes, doing homework. The key point is that 勉強する does NOT require a teacher or instructor. You can 勉強する entirely on your own.

It is most natural with academic subjects: Japanese, math, history, science, English. You are applying effort and focus to learn something.

Example 1 — self-study:

毎日日本語を勉強しています。
Mainichi nihongo wo benkyou shite imasu.
I study Japanese every day.

Example 2 — studying for a test:

試験のために数学を勉強した。
Shiken no tame ni suugaku wo benkyou shita.
I studied math for the exam.

Example 3 — in a class (teacher present, but focus is on your effort):

学校で英語を勉強しています。
Gakkou de eigo wo benkyou shite imasu.
I am studying English at school.

Yuka

Oh interesting! So 勉強する can mean that too? I only knew the basic meaning.

Rei

Yes! 勉強する is more versatile than most learners realize. Native speakers use it in all sorts of situations — not just the obvious ones.

習う (narau) — To Learn From Someone

習う specifically means to learn something by being taught by an instructor, teacher, or coach. The structure implies a teacher-student relationship. If you are taking lessons — piano lessons, swimming lessons, Japanese lessons with a tutor — 習う is the natural verb. The focus is on receiving instruction from someone, not just putting in personal effort.

A key grammar note: 習う takes に to mark the teacher: [subject] は [teacher] に [skill] を 習う — “I learn [skill] from [teacher].”

Example 1 — taking lessons from a teacher:

先生に日本語を習っています。
Sensei ni nihongo wo naratte imasu.
I am learning Japanese from a teacher.

Example 2 — taking piano lessons:

子供の頃、ピアノを習っていました。
Kodomo no koro, piano wo naratte imashita.
I used to take piano lessons when I was a child.

Example 3 — learning swimming from a coach:

コーチに水泳を習っている。
Koochi ni suiei wo naratte iru.
I am learning swimming from a coach.

Yuka

What about 習う? Is it used as often as 勉強する in daily conversation?

Rei

習う is super common too! The two words actually complement each other really well once you understand both.

The Key Difference: Who Is Involved?

The easiest way to remember: 勉強する is about YOUR effort to study something. 習う is about SOMEONE ELSE teaching you something. When there is a dedicated instructor whose role is to transmit knowledge or skill to you, use 習う. When you are hitting the books on your own — or even in a classroom where the focus is on your own studying — use 勉強する.

Decision Flowchart: 勉強する or 習う?

Are you learning / studying something?
               |
               v
   Is there a specific TEACHER or INSTRUCTOR
   whose role is to teach you?
          |              |
         YES              NO
          |              |
          v              v
       → 習う         → 勉強する
       (narau)        (benkyou-suru)
   "Learn from       "Study (on your own
    a teacher"        or with general effort)"

Quick Quiz — Test Yourself!

Yuka

Alright, I think I understand both now. Time for a quiz to check!

Rei

That’s the spirit! Testing yourself is one of the best study techniques. Ready?

Choose 勉強する or 習う for each sentence.

Q1. I studied English by myself using apps and YouTube.
アプリとYouTubeで英語を＿＿＿た。
Apuri to YouTube de eigo wo ___ ta.

Answer: 勉強し (benkyoushi) — 勉強する
Reason: Self-directed study with no instructor involved.

Q2. As a child I took ballet lessons from Ms. Yamamoto.
子供の頃、山本先生にバレエを＿＿＿いました。
Kodomo no koro, Yamamoto-sensei ni baree wo ___ imashita.

Answer: 習って (naratte) — 習う
Reason: Learning a skill from a specific instructor.

Q3. I need to study for tomorrow’s test.
明日のテストのために＿＿＿なければならない。
Ashita no tesuto no tame ni ___ nakereba naranai.

Answer: 勉強し (benkyoushi) — 勉強する
Reason: Personal study effort, no instructor implied.

Q4. She is learning tea ceremony from a traditional master.
彼女は先生に茶道を＿＿＿いる。
Kanojo wa sensei ni sadou wo ___ iru.

Answer: 習って (naratte) — 習う
Reason: A formal learning relationship with an instructor.

Q5. I study Japanese at a language school.
語学学校で日本語を＿＿＿います。
Gogaku gakkou de nihongo wo ___ imasu.

Answer: Both are acceptable here. 勉強しています focuses on your effort to learn; 習っています emphasizes that you are being taught there. In practice, both sound natural.

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