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

When expressing "learn" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "ならう", "学ぶ", "習う", "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.
• 習う (ならう (narau) - Level: N5): Maps to "to learn (from a teacher)" and is used when Implies learning a skill or subject from an instructor or institution. Often used with the particle に or から for the source of learning..
• 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!