勉強

The word "benkyou" carries a strong nuance of effort, discipline, and sometimes struggle. While "gakushu" (学習) refers to the general process of learning or acquisition of knowledge, "benkyou" specifically implies a conscious, often rigorous effort to master something. It is the word used for schoolwork, studying for exams, or the disciplined practice of a skill.

In a business or commercial context, "benkyou suru" is a common euphemism for offering a discount. It does not mean "to study the price," but rather "to make an effort to lower the price" as a gesture of goodwill or concession during negotiations. Using this term makes the request for a discount sound more polite and less demanding than asking for a direct price cut.

Another essential usage is the phrase "benkyou ni naru," which means "to be educational" or "to learn a valuable lesson from someone's experience." This is often used as a polite expression of gratitude when someone shares their expertise or when one learns from a mistake.