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Japanese Versatility List

Learning and practice

Core words, Stage 3chunk 16 of 76Verbs: effort and results

Lets you talk about lessons, practice, focus and working out numbers.

Mix-ups narau needs a teacher, manabu is learning in general, and benkyou suru is studying.

renshuu suru

polite renshuu shimasu

practise; train

Repeating something to get better: sport, music, speaking.

Also a noun: renshuu ni iku (go to practice).

casual

shiai no mae ni motto renshuu shiyou.

Let's practise more before the match.

試合の前にもっと練習しよう。

polite

shiai no mae ni motto renshuu shimashou.

Let's practise more before the match.

試合の前にもっと練習しましょう。

Written 練習する · れんしゅうする · 練習しますRank #1211 in 3,030 TV dramas

shuuchuu suru

polite shuuchuu shimasu

concentrate; focus

Usually X ni shuuchuu suru (focus on X), or shuuchuu dekinai (can't focus).

shuuchuuryoku: concentration, attention span.

casual

koko, urusakute shuuchuu dekinai.

It's too noisy here to focus.

ここ、うるさくて集中できない。

polite

koko wa urusakute shuuchuu dekimasen.

It's too noisy here to focus.

ここはうるさくて集中できません。

Written 集中する · しゅうちゅうする · 集中しますRank #1454 in 3,030 TV dramas

narau

polite naraimasu

learn (from someone); take lessons

Learning from a teacher or in lessons: piano o narau.

For studying on your own, say benkyou suru.

casual

kodomo no koro, piano naratteta.

I took piano lessons as a kid.

子供のころ、ピアノ習ってた。

polite

kodomo no koro, piano o naratte imashita.

I took piano lessons as a child.

子供のころ、ピアノを習っていました。

Written 習う · ならう · 習いますRank #2868 in 3,030 TV dramas

manabu

polite manabimasu

learn

Learning in a broad or serious sense, from experience, history or mistakes.

narau needs a teacher; manabu doesn't.

casual

kono shigoto de iroiro mananda yo.

I learned a lot from this job.

この仕事でいろいろ学んだよ。

polite

kono shigoto de iroiro manabimashita.

I learned a lot from this job.

この仕事でいろいろ学びました。

Written 学ぶ · まなぶ · 学びますRank #1681 in 3,030 TV dramas

keisan suru

polite keisan shimasu

calculate; work out (numbers)

Working out numbers: a bill, costs, time.

keisan doori: exactly as planned. keisan ga hayai: quick with numbers.

casual

hitori ikura ka keisan shite.

Work out how much it is each.

一人いくらか計算して。

polite

hitori ikura ka keisan shite kudasai.

Please work out how much it is per person.

一人いくらか計算してください。

Written 計算する · けいさんする · 計算しますRank #2514 in 3,030 TV dramas