Readings: シュウ (Onyomi), なら.う (Kunyomi)
Meaning: learn, custom, habit
The kanji 習 combines 羽 (はね), meaning “feather” or “wings,” and 白 (はく), meaning “white,” which in this context originally depicted a bird with its wings flapping. The character visually represents a young bird repeatedly flapping its wings to learn how to fly. This imagery directly conveys the meaning of “learn” through repetition and practice, eventually leading to a “habit” or “custom.”
View JLPT N4 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 習 (shuu) is composed of 11 strokes. It begins with the elements of 羽 (wings) on the left and then 白 (white) on the right. Pay attention to the order and direction of each stroke, especially the four small strokes at the bottom of 羽 and the precise order of 白.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 羽 (はね) |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 11 |
| JLPT Level | N4 |
| Grade | 3 |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- シュウ (Shuu)
Kunyomi (Japanese readings)
- なら.う (nara.u)
Common Words Using 習
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 練習 | れんしゅう | practice |
| 学習 | がくしゅう | study, learning |
| 習字 | しゅうじ | calligraphy |
| 習慣 | しゅうかん | custom, habit |
| 予習 | よしゅう | preparation for a lesson |
| 復習 | ふくしゅう | review, revision |
| 慣習 | かんしゅう | custom, common practice |
| 習性 | しゅうせい | habit, characteristic |
| 教習所 | きょうしゅうじょ | driving school |
| 悪習 | あくしゅう | bad habit |
Kunyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 習う | ならう | to learn |
| 見習う | みならう | to follow someone’s example, to emulate |
| 習い事 | ならいごと | lessons,習い事 (e.g., calligraphy, piano lessons) |
| 習わし | ならわし | custom, tradition |
| 教え習う | おしえならう | to learn by being taught |
| 習い覚え | ならいおぼえ | learning and remembering |
| 習い得 | ならいえ | acquired skill |
| 習い初め | ならいぞめ | first lesson, beginning of learning |
| 習い性 | ならいしょう | acquired habit (as in “habit becomes second nature”) |
| 習い覚える | ならいおぼえる | to learn and memorize |
Example Sentences
Japanese: 子供たちは学校で新しいことを習います。
Kana: こどもたちはがっこうであたらしいことをならいます。
Romaji: Kodomotachi wa gakkō de atarashii koto o naraimasu.
English: Children learn new things at school.
Japanese: 毎日日本語を練習しています。
Kana: まいにち にほんごを れんしゅうしています。
Romaji: Mainichi Nihongo o renshuu shiteimasu.
English: I practice Japanese every day.
Japanese: 彼は熱心に日本語を学習しています。
Kana: かれはねっしんににほんごをがくしゅうしています。
Romaji: Kare wa nesshin ni Nihongo o gakushuu shiteimasu.
English: He is diligently studying Japanese.
Japanese: 日本の古い習慣について学びました。
Kana: にほんのふるいしゅうかんについてまなびました。
Romaji: Nihon no furui shuukan ni tsuite manabimashita.
English: I learned about old Japanese customs.
Japanese: 明日の授業のために予習をしました。
Kana: あしたのじゅぎょうのためによしゅうをしました。
Romaji: Ashita no jugyou no tame ni yoshuu o shimashita.
English: I prepared for tomorrow’s class.
Japanese: テストの前に復習が必要です。
Kana: てすとのまえにふくしゅうがひつようです。
Romaji: Tesuto no mae ni fukushuu ga hitsuyou desu.
English: Review is necessary before the test.
Japanese: 習字を習っています。
Kana: しゅうじをならっています。
Romaji: Shuuji o naratteimasu.
English: I am learning calligraphy.
Japanese: 良い習慣を身につけることが大切です。
Kana: よいしゅうかんをみにつけることがたいせつです。
Romaji: Yoi shuukan o minitsukeru koto ga taisetsu desu.
English: It’s important to acquire good habits.
Japanese: 先輩の仕事を見習って、自分も頑張ります。
Kana: せんぱいのしごとをみならって、じぶんもがんばります。
Romaji: Senpai no shigoto o minaratte, jibun mo ganbarimasu.
English: I will try my best by emulating my senior’s work.
Japanese: この地域にはユニークな習わしがあります。
Kana: このちいきにはゆにーくなならわしがあります。
Romaji: Kono chiiki ni wa yuniiku na narawashi ga arimasu.
English: This region has unique customs.
Related Grammar & kanji list
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