014Japanese proverb ことわざ
習うより慣れろ
ならうよりなれろNarau yori narero
“Practice beats being taught.”
Word for wordGet used to it rather than study it.
The meaning
We learn by doing. Theory prepares, but repeated contact with the material is what installs real skill.
At the origin
A workshop proverb, handed down in Japanese trades and arts.
The characters
- 習う naraulearn
- より yorirather than
- 慣れろ
In practice
Cut the preparatory reading: begin, and let practice teach.