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:

私は毎日ノートを使って勉強します。

Watashi wa mainichi nōto o tsukatte benkyō shimasu

I use a notebook every day to study.

I study every day using a notebook.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• 毎日 (mainichi) - adverb meaning "every day"
• ノート (nooto) - noun that means "notebook"
• を (wo) - particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence, in this case, "notebook"
• 使って (tsukatte) - verb meaning "to use" in the gerund
• 勉強します (benkyou shimasu) - verb that means "to study" in the present

私は専ら日本語を勉強しています。

Watashi wa mattaku nihongo o benkyou shiteimasu

Eu estou estudando exclusivamente japonês.

Estou estudando japonês exclusivamente.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 専ら (senra) - advérbio que significa "exclusivamente"
• 日本語 (nihongo) - noun meaning "Japanese" (language)
• を (wo) - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 勉強しています (benkyou shiteimasu) - compound verb meaning "I am studying"

私は書斎で勉強します。

Watashi wa shosai de benkyou shimasu

Eu estudo no meu escritório.

Eu estudo no estudo.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 書斎 (shosai) - substantivo que significa "escritório" ou "sala de estudos"
• で (de) - Particle that indicates the place where the action occurs
• 勉強 (benkyou) - noun that means "study" or "learning"
• します (shimasu) - verb meaning "to do" or "to accomplish"

私は毎日勉強します。

Watashi wa mainichi benkyō shimasu

I study every day.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 毎日 (mainichi) - adverb meaning "every day"
• 勉強 (benkyou) - noun meaning "study"
• します (shimasu) - verb that means "to do"

私は大学で日本語を勉強しています。

Watashi wa daigaku de nihongo wo benkyou shiteimasu

I'm studying Japanese at the university.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - partícula que marca o tópico da frase, indicando que o assunto é "eu"
• 大学 (daigaku) - noun meaning "university"
• で (de) - particle that indicates the location where the action takes place, in this case, "at the university"
• 日本語 (nihongo) - noun meaning "Japanese"
• を (wo) - particle that marks the direct object of the sentence, indicating that "japanese" is the object of the action
• 勉強しています (benkyou shiteimasu) - verb meaning "to study" conjugated in the present continuous, indicating that the action is ongoing

私はしょっちゅう日本語を勉強しています。

Watashi wa shocchuu nihongo wo benkyou shiteimasu

I'm always studying Japanese.

I often study Japanese.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that marks the topic of the sentence
• しょっちゅう (shocchuu) - adverb meaning "always"
• 日本語 (nihongo) - noun meaning "Japanese" (language)
• を (wo) - Particle that marks the direct object of the sentence
• 勉強しています (benkyou shiteimasu) - compound verb meaning "I am studying"

私は短大で日本語を勉強しました。

Watashi wa tandaide nihongo o benkyō shimashita

I studied Japanese in technical college.

I studied Japanese at a junior college.

• 私 - The personal pronoun that means "I" in Japanese.
• は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 短大 - abbreviation of "短期大学", which means "short-term college" in Japanese.
• で - particle that indicates the place where an action occurs, in this case "at the university"
• 日本語 - noun that means "Japanese" in Japanese
• を - particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence, in this case "studying Japanese"
• 勉強 - verb that means "to study" in Japanese
• しました - past form of the verb "する", which means "to do" in Japanese, indicating that the action of studying Japanese was completed in the past

私は大学で様々な科目を勉強しました。

Watashi wa daigaku de samazama na kamoku o benkyou shimashita

I studied several subjects at the university.

I studied several subjects at the university.

• 私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 大学 - noun meaning "university"
• で - particle that indicates the location where the action takes place
• 様々な - adjective that means "diverse," "varied"
• 科目 - noun that means "subject", "discipline"
• を - Particle indicating the direct object of the action.
• 勉強しました - verb that means "study" in the past

私は学部で勉強しています。

Watashi wa gakubu de benkyou shiteimasu

I'm studying at college.

I'm studying at the undergraduate school.

• 私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は - topic particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 学部 - noun that means "faculty"
• で - Particle that indicates the place where something happens
• 勉強 - verb that means "study"
• しています - polite and present form of the verb "suru", which means "to do"

私たちは毎日同じクラスで勉強しています。

Watashitachi wa mainichi onaji kurasu de benkyou shiteimasu

We study every day in the same class.

We study in the same class every day.

• 私たち - 私たち
• は - Japanese topic particle
• 毎日 - "todos os dias" in Japanese
• 同じ - "the same" in Japanese
• クラス - "class" in Japanese
• で - Location particle in Japanese
• 勉強 - study in Japanese
• しています - The polished form of the verb "fazer" in Japanese