“Learn your job by stealing!” 「盗んで学ぶ」

That is what my supervisor told me when I started working over 20 years ago.
日本語「は」こちら
Is this common in your country?
New employees don’t receive much explanation and aren’t allowed to ask lots of questions. They’re supposed to learn their jobs by observing their supervisor and senior employees.
When I was working, I wasn’t apprenticed to a craftsman. I was just an ordinary company employee. There was no manual, and it was difficult to ask questions. It was impossible to learn the ropes which is why I always hated the concept of “learning by stealing” or 「盗んで学ぶ」(nusunde manabu). 
However, when it comes studying languages, I think learning by stealing is viable.
I remember when I was taking English classes. I learned a lot by listening to the native teacher.

Imitating More Advanced Students

What really helped me to improve my conversational skills was imitating my more advanced classmates.

It’s a lot easier to steal from someone who is closer to your level. If you aren’t confident in your Japanese ability, then speaking with a native Japanese speaker is really difficult.

You might have something to say, but you don’t know the vocabulary.
You don’t know how to express your ideas.
Because you’re speaking slowly, the other person switches to English.
The conversation doesn’t last very long if you only use Japanese…

So, you end up thinking, “I’ll just speak in English.”
Before that, why not try speaking more with your classmates?
It’s just for practice, so it doesn’t matter if you make mistakes.
Then one day, you can try what you’ve learned with a native speaker to build your confidence.

Last thoughts on Learning by Stealing 「盗んで、学ぶ」

So, keep on stealing from your classmates to learn more.
You can become fluent by effectively using the “Learn by stealing!” principle!
About the Author – Yumi Yoshida from Tohoku has 16 years experience as a Japanese Language Teacher. Yumi loves hiking, traveling and drinking Japanese Sake. She thinks that the best way to learn Japanese is from fun and friendly conversation.

Other A I U E O Series

• AIUEO – A (あ)
• AIUEO – I (い)
• AIUEO – U (う)
• AIUEO – E (え)
• AIUEO – O (お)
• AIUEO – Ki(き)
• AIUEO – Ku(く)
• AIUEO – Ke(け)
• AIUEO – Ko(こ)
• AIUEO – Sa(さ)
• AIUEO – Shi(し)
• AIUEO – Su(す)
• AIUEO – Se(せ)
• AIUEO – So(そ)
• AIUEO – Ta(た)
• AIUEO – Chi(ち)
• AIUEO – Tsu (つ)
• AIUEO – Te (て)
• AIUEO – To (と)
• AIUEO – Na (な)
• AIUEO – Ni (に)
• AIUEO – Nu (ぬ)
• AIUEO – Ne(ね)
• AIUEO – No (の)
• AIUEO – Ha (は)
• AIUEO – Hi (ひ)
• AIUEO – Hu (ふ)
• AIUEO – He (へ)
• AIUEO – Ho (ほ)
• AIUEO – Ma (ま)
• AIUEO – Mi (み)
• AIUEO – Mu (む)
• AIUEO – Me (め)
• AIUEO – Mo (も)
• AIUEO – Ra (ら)
• AIUEO – Ri (り)
• AIUEO – Ru (る)
• AIUEO – Re (れ)
• AIUEO – Ro (ろ)
• AIUEO – Ya (や)
• AIUEO – Yu (ゆ)
• AIUEO – Yo (よ)
• AIUEO – Wa (わ)

FAQ:

What does learning by stealing mean?

Learning by stealing refers to imitating other people to learn something. In the case of languages, learning by stealing is an excellent way to master speaking and pronouncing correctly.

How do you say "to steal" in Japanese?

To steal in Japanese is 盗む (nusumu). To say to learn by stealing you can say 「盗んで学ぶ」.

Is the "learning by stealing" method effective for learning Japanese?

Yes, learning by stealing or imitating how a native or more advanced speaker talks and pronounces words is very effective. Additionally, implementing immersion methods such as listening to podcasts, watching T.V. shows, and surrounding yourself with Japanese in general will intuitively allow you to pick and copy the language.