Synonym Boundary: "ならう", "学ぶ", "習います", "見習う", "身につける"

When expressing "learn" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "ならう", "学ぶ", "習います", "見習う", "身につける" based on context.

• ならう (ならう (narau) - Level: N5): Maps to "to learn, to take lessons" and is used when Implies learning from a teacher or through formal instruction. Often used with が or を..
• 学ぶ (まなぶ (manabu) - Level: N5): Maps to "to learn, to study" and is used when Transitive verb. Implies acquiring knowledge or skills, often in a structured or formal way. Similar to 勉強する.
• 習います (ならいます (naraimasu) - Level: N4): Maps to "to learn (from someone)" and is used when 先生や専門家から知識や技能を学ぶ際に使います。学ぶ内容は「を」、教わる相手は「に」で示されます。/ Used when acquiring knowledge or skills from a teacher or expert. The content learned is marked with 'を', and the person from whom it is learned is marked with 'に'..
• 見習う (みならう (minarau) - Level: N3): Maps to "to learn by observation, to follow someone's example, to emulate" and is used when Implies learning or adopting skills/behavior by observing someone else, often a senior or expert. Usually transitive..
• 身につける (みにつける (mi ni tsukeru) - Level: N2): Maps to "to learn, to acquire (a skill); to wear (on one's person)" and is used when Has two main meanings: 1. To master a skill or knowledge so it becomes inherent. 2. To put on clothes or accessories. Often used for skills or habits..

Mixing these up can easily lead to unnatural translations. Refer to the bilingual context cards below to master the boundaries!