Study
学
Study
Kun-yomi 🇯🇵:
まなぶ (manabu)
(Japanese reading)On-yomi 🇨🇳:
ガク (gaku)
(Chinese-derived reading)
Pronunciation rules
- まなぶ (manabu) is the kun-yomi used as a verb meaning "to learn" or "to study".
- ガク (gaku) is the on-yomi used in compounds like 学生 (がくせい, gakusei: student), 大学 (だいがく, daigaku: university), and 科学 (かがく, kagaku: science).
- Etymology: Two hands on the roof + children → teachers and children do something hand in hand → to study
Examples
On-yomiSino-Japanese Readings
勉強する です。
To study.
Uses on-yomi ガク (gaku) in compound 勉強
学生 です。
It's a student.
Uses on-yomi ガク (gaku) in compound 学生
大学 です。
It's a university.
Uses on-yomi ガク (gaku) in compound 大学
科学 です。
It's science.
Uses on-yomi ガク (gaku) in compound 科学
Quick facts
- Radical: 子 (child)
- Strokes: 8
- Common compounds: 学生 (がくせい, gakusei), 大学 (だいがく, daigaku), 科学 (かがく, kagaku)
- ⚠️ Reading usage:
- As verb: まなぶ (manabu) - to learn, to study
- In compounds: がく (gaku) - study, learning
Key Words
学生 - student
大学 - university
科学 - science
留学する - to study abroad