Japanese kanji 習: 習う and 練習

The idea

習 has 11 strokes; follow the linked stroke-order diagram. Read 習う as ならう and 練習 as れんしゅう. N4 is an estimated learning level, not an official JLPT kanji list.

Examples

• 日本語にほんごを先生せんせいに習ならっています。I am learning Japanese from a teacher.
• 母ははに料理りょうりを習ならいます。I learn cooking from my mother.
• 毎日まいにち、ピアノを練習れんしゅうします。I practise the piano every day.
• 明日あしたの授業じゅぎょうを予習よしゅうします。I prepare for tomorrow’s lesson.
• 友達ともだちと日本語にほんごを練習れんしゅうしました。I practised Japanese with a friend.
• 習ならった言葉ことばを使つかいます。I use the words I learned.

Watch out

Compare the shapes of 習 and 羽. Read whole words: 習う means learn from someone, whereas 練習 means practice. 習う often means learning from someone; 練習 is practice to improve a skill.

Try it yourself

1. Write the reading of 習う in hiragana.

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   ならう

   習う is read ならう and means learn from someone. In the example: I am learning Japanese from a teacher.

2. Write the reading of 練習 in hiragana.

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   れんしゅう

   練習 is read れんしゅう and means practice. In the example: I practise the piano every day.

3. Fill in the missing kanji: 練＿（れんしゅう）［習／羽］.

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   習

   習 completes 練習, read れんしゅう; the word means practice.

Use it today

Cover the table, write 習 from memory, then read 習う and 練習 aloud. Check their readings and meanings.