Translation and Meaning of: 学ぶ - manabu

The Japanese word 「学ぶ」 (manabu) is a verb that means "to learn" or "to study." The etymology of the word is quite revealing about the learning process it describes. The kanji 「学」 (gaku/manabu) has as its main radicals the 「小」 which refers to "small" and the 「冖」 which symbolizes "to cover" or "to protect," indicating the idea of covering or gathering small pieces of knowledge. This kanji is widely associated with education, learning, and teaching, reflecting the deep value that Japanese culture places on the educational process.

Originally, 「学ぶ」 had the meaning of "to imitate" or "to copy," which highlights a primary methodology of learning through observation and replication. This notion of absorbing knowledge through experience and practice remains very present in traditional Japanese education. Learning is not just a transfer of information, but a comprehensive cultivation of skills and understanding that can be applied in various contexts.

In the Japanese language, different forms and expressions of 「学ぶ」 enrich the vocabulary related to learning. For example, in combinations like 「学習」 (gakushuu), which means "study" or "learning," and 「大学」 (daigaku), referring to "university," we see the application of the same concept of gathering and expanding knowledge. The importance of education in Japan is so profound that even educational institutions are directly associated with lexical elements derived from 「学ぶ」.

Cultural and Contextual Uses

• 「自己学習」 (jiko gakushuu): Refers to “self-learning”, a concept valued for its focus on continuous, autonomous education.
• 「学びの場」 (manabi no ba): Means "place of learning" and can refer to both formal schools and any environment conducive to learning.

The word 「学ぶ」 is a bridge between ancient traditions and modern practices, encapsulating the idea of learning as a continuous and adaptive whole. In a world that increasingly values education as a tool for transformation, the verb 「学ぶ」 takes on a crucial role by symbolizing a constant commitment to growth and lifelong knowledge acquisition.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 習得する (Shuutoku suru) - Acquire skills or knowledge through practice.
• 学習する (Gakushuu suru) - Study or learn in a broader way, including concepts and theories.
• 勉強する (Benkyou suru) - Study, usually in a more formal manner and applied to school or academic materials.
• 研究する (Kenkyuu suru) - Conduct an investigation or in-depth study on a specific topic.
• 調べる (Shiraberu) - Search or investigate specific information.

学ぶ

Romaji: manabu
Kana: まなぶ
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: study in depth

Meaning in English: to study in depth

Definition: acquisition of new knowledge and technologies.

Example Sentences - (学ぶ) manabu

See below some example sentences:

文語を学ぶことは日本語を深く理解するために重要です。

Bungo wo manabu koto wa Nihongo wo fukaku rikai suru tame ni juuyou desu

Learning Bungo is important for understanding Japanese deeply.

Learning phrases are important for deep understanding of Japanese.

• 文語 - It means "written language" or "classical Japanese".
• を - Particle that indicates the object of the action.
• 学ぶ - verb that means "study" or "learn".
• こと - Noun meaning "thing" or "fact".
• は - Particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• 日本語 - It means "Japanese".
• を - Particle that indicates the object of the action.
• 深く - adverb that means "deeply".
• 理解する - verb that means "to understand" or "to comprehend".
• ために - expression that means "for" or "in order to".
• 重要です - adjective that means "important".

共学は男女が一緒に学ぶ学校です。

Kyōgaku wa danjo ga issho ni manabu gakkō desu

Co-education is a school where men and women learn together.

• 共学 - means "mixed education", that is, schools where boys and girls study together.
• 男女 - means "men and women".
• 一緒に - means "together".
• 学ぶ - means "to study".
• 学校 - means "school".

懲りるは学ぶの第一歩です。

Chireru wa manabu no daiippo desu

Discipline is the first step to learning.

• 懲りる - learn from mistakes
• は - Topic particle
• 学ぶ - study, learn
• の - Possessive particle
• 第一歩 - First step
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

法学を学ぶことは社会に貢献するために重要です。

Hougaku wo manabu koto wa shakai ni kouken suru tame ni juuyou desu

The apprenticeship law is important to contribute to society.

• 法学 - study of law
• 学ぶ - learn
• こと - thing
• 社会 - society
• 貢献 - contribution
• する - make
• ために - for
• 重要 - important
• です - is

短期間で学ぶことができる

Tanki kan de manabu koto ga dekiru

You can learn in a short period of time

• 短期間 - Short period
• で - particle that indicates the means or the manner
• 学ぶ - learn
• こと - noun that indicates an action or event
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• できる - Be able to

私は毎日新しいことを学ぶことが大切だと思います。

Watashi wa mainichi atarashii koto wo manabu koto ga taisetsu da to omoimasu

I believe it's important to learn new things every day.

I think it's important to learn something new everyday.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Japanese particle that marks the topic of the sentence
• 毎日 (mainichi) - Japanese adverb meaning "every day"
• 新しい (atarashii) - 新しい (atarashii)
• こと (koto) - A palavra japonesa que significa "coisa" é "もの" (mono).
• を (wo) - Japanese particle that marks the direct object of the sentence
• 学ぶ (manabu) - Japanese verb that means "to learn"
• こと (koto) - A palavra japonesa que significa "coisa" é "もの" (mono).
• が (ga) - Japanese particle that marks the subject of the sentence
• 大切 (taisetsu) - Japanese adjective that means "important"
• だ (da) - Japanese verb that means "to be"
• と (to) - Japanese particle that indicates the quotation of an opinion or thought
• 思います (omoimasu) - Japanese verb that means "to think"

私はお金の遣い方を学ぶ必要がある。

Watashi wa okane no tsukai kata o manabu hitsuyō ga aru

I need to learn the way to use money.

I need to learn how to spend money.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• お金 (okane) - noun meaning "money"
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession or relationship between two words
• 遣い方 (tsukaikata) - noun that means "way of using/spending"
• を (wo) - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 学ぶ (manabu) - verb that means "to learn"
• 必要 (hitsuyou) - adjective meaning "necessary"
• が (ga) - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• ある (aru) - verb that means "to exist/to be present"

地理はとても興味深い学問です。

Chiri wa totemo kyoumi fukai gakumon desu

Geography is a very interesting subject.

Geography is a very interesting study.

• 地理 - geografia
• は - Topic particle
• とても - very
• 興味深い - interesting
• 学問 - academic discipline
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

私は教習所で運転を学んでいます。

Watashi wa kyōshūjo de unten o manande imasu

I'm learning to drive at driving school.

I'm studying driving at the driving school.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 教習所 (kyōshūjo) - Driving school
• で (de) - Particle that indicates the place where the action occurs
• 運転 (unten) - driving, drive
• を (wo) - direct object particle that indicates the target of the action
• 学んでいます (manandeimasu) - verb meaning "I'm learning"

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"