Translation and Meaning of: 勉強 - benkyou

The word 「勉強」 (benkyou) means "study" in Japanese and refers to the act of learning, dedicating oneself to knowledge, or engaging in activities related to learning. It is widely used in the educational context, but it can also apply to personal efforts to acquire new skills or knowledge in various areas.

Etymologically, 「勉」 (ben) means "to strive" or "to dedicate oneself," while 「強」 (kyou) means "strength" or "firmness." The combination of the two Kanji conveys the idea of "vigorous effort" or "intense dedication," reflecting the Japanese cultural view that learning requires discipline and perseverance.

"「勉強」 is used in various contexts, such as:"

• Formal study: It refers to learning in schools, universities, or specialized courses, as in 「日本語を勉強しています」 ("I am studying Japanese").
• Autoaprendizado: Includes personal efforts to acquire knowledge outside of formal settings, such as studying a hobby or practicing a skill.
• Figurativo: In some situations, 「勉強」 can also be used to indicate "lessons learned" through experiences or challenges, as a form of personal growth.

Interestingly, in commercial contexts, 「勉強」 can also mean "to offer a discount" informally, as in 「少し勉強します」 ("I will give a discount"), a common expression used by sellers to please customers.

Being central to the Japanese educational and cultural system, 「勉強」 is a word that carries the value attributed to continuous learning and the effort to improve. Its application is vast, from daily use in schools to professional or social situations, making it indispensable in the Japanese vocabulary.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 学習 (Gakushuu) - Learning or study in general
• 研究 (Kenkyuu) - Research, in-depth study on a specific topic
• 調査 (Chousa) - Investigation or inquiry to collect information
• 練習 (Renshuu) - Practice to improve skills
• 訓練 (Kunren) - Training, generally more formal or systematic
• 試験 (Shiken) - Test or formal exam, usually with evaluation
• 鍛錬 (Tanren) - Rigorous practice to develop strength or skills
• 修行 (Shugyou) - Self-discipline and training, often in spiritual or martial arts contexts
• 授業 (Jugyou) - Class or lesson in an educational context
• 学問 (Gaku-mon) - Academic or scholarly knowledge
• 教育 (Kyouiku) - Education as a formal teaching process
• 学習する (Gakushuu suru) - Act of learning or studying
• 習う (Narau) - Learn, often under the guidance of someone.
• 知識を得る (Chishiki wo eru) - Gain knowledge
• 知る (Shiru) - To know or to be familiar with, in a more general sense
• 知恵をつける (Chie wo tsukeru) - Developing wisdom or discernment
• 知識を深める (Chishiki wo fukameru) - Deepen knowledge
• 知識を広げる (Chishiki wo hirogeru) - Expand knowledge
• 学ぶ (Manabu) - Learn, in a broader and more informal sense
• 研究する (Kenkyuu suru) - Act of researching or investigating
• 調べる (Shiraberu) - Search or investigate something specific
• 調査する (Chousa suru) - Conduct an investigation or inquiry
• 試みる (Kokomiru) - Make an attempt or try out
• 試験する (Shiken suru) - Take an exam or test
• 鍛える (Kitaeru) - Strengthen, usually in terms of physical training or skills
• 鍛錬する (Tanren suru) - Devote yourself to rigorous training.
• 修行する (Shugyou suru) - Engaging in training or discipline, often in a spiritual context

勉強

Romaji: benkyou
Kana: べんきょう
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3, jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: study; diligence; discount; reduction

Meaning in English: study;diligence;discount;reduction

Definition: Learn to acquire knowledge or skills.

Example Sentences - (勉強) benkyou

See below some example sentences:

私は日本語を勉強しています。

Watashi wa Nihongo o benkyou shiteimasu

Eu estou estudando japonês.

I'm studying Japanese.

• 私 - significa "eu" em japonês.
• は - é uma partícula gramatical que indica o tópico da frase, neste caso, "eu".
• 日本語 - significa "japonês" em japonês.
• を - é uma partícula gramatical que indica o objeto direto da frase, neste caso, "japonês".
• 勉強 - significa "estudar" em japonês.
• しています - é uma conjugação do verbo "suru" que indica ação em andamento, neste caso, "estou estudando".

彼女は私を勉強に促した。

Kanojo wa watashi o benkyou ni unagashita

Ela me incentivou a estudar.

Ela me pediu para estudar.

• 彼女 - she
• は - Topic particle
• 私 - I
• を - direct object particle
• 勉強 - estudo
• に - target particle
• 促した - incentivou, estimulou

私は努めて日本語を勉強しています。

Watashi wa tsutomete Nihongo wo benkyou shiteimasu

Estou me esforçando para estudar japonês.

Estou trabalhando duro para estudar japonês.

• 私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 努めて - verbo que significa "esforçar-se" ou "trabalhar arduamente"
• 日本語 - substantivo que significa "japonês", a língua japonesa
• を - partícula de objeto que indica o objeto direto da ação, neste caso "estudar"
• 勉強しています - verbo composto que significa "estar estudando", no presente contínuo

私は日本語を覚えるために毎日勉強しています。

Watashi wa nihongo o oboeru tame ni mainichi benkyou shiteimasu

I study Japanese every day to keep myself sharp.

I study every day to learn Japanese.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• 日本語 (nihongo) - noun meaning "Japanese"
• を (wo) - particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence, in this case, "japonês"
• 覚える (oboeru) - verb that means "to remember" or "to learn"
• ために (tameni) - expression meaning "for" or "in order to"
• 毎日 (mainichi) - noun that means "every day"
• 勉強しています (benkyou shiteimasu) - The expression that means "I am studying"

書き取りは日本語の勉強にとても役立ちます。

Kakitori wa nihongo no benkyou ni totemo yakudachimasu

Writing is very useful for studying Japanese.

Writing is very useful for studying Japanese.

• 書き取り - escrita
• は - Topic particle
• 日本語 - Japanese language
• の - Possession particle
• 勉強 - estudo
• に - target particle
• とても - very
• 役立ちます - To be useful

教科書を読んで勉強しましょう。

Kyōkasho o yonde benkyō shimashou

Vamos ler o livro e estudar.

Vamos ler o livro e estudar.

• 教科書 - livro didático
• を - direct object particle
• 読んで - forma conjuntiva do verbo "ler"
• 勉強 - estudar
• しましょう - forma educada do verbo "fazer"

仮名を勉強するのは楽しいです。

Kana wo benkyou suru no wa tanoshii desu

Learning kana is fun.

It's fun to study Kana.

• 仮名 - means "kana", which is one of the Japanese writing systems.
• 勉強する - means "to study".
• のは - is a particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
• 楽しい - means "fun" or "pleasant".
• です - is a polite way of saying "is" or "is".

もっと勉強しなければならない。

Motto benkyou shinakereba naranai

I need to study more.

I have to study more.

• もっと - adverb that means "more"
• 勉強 - noun meaning "study"
• しなければ - negative form of the verb "する" (to do) in the conditional
• ならない - suffix that indicates obligation or necessity

僕は日本語を勉強しています。

Boku wa nihongo wo benkyou shiteimasu

Eu estou estudando japonês.

I'm studying Japanese.

• 僕 - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 日本語 - noun meaning "Japanese" or "Japanese language"
• を - object particle indicating the direct object of the action
• 勉強 - verb meaning "study" or "learn"
• しています - present form of the verb "suru" (to do) with the suffix "teiru" that indicates an action in progress

学生は勉強することが大切です。

Gakusei wa benkyou suru koto ga taisetsu desu

It is important for students to study.

It is important for students to study.

• 学生 - estudante
• は - Topic particle
• 勉強する - estudar
• こと - thing
• が - subject particle
• 大切 - important
• です - Verb to be/estar