Translation guide
How to say you are taking lessons or classes in a subject, skill, or activity in Japanese. The most natural expressions depend on what kind of lesson it is and the context.
Expressing that you are taking lessons or classes in something like piano, English, cooking, etc.
The most common and natural way to say you are taking lessons in something. Uses the verb 習う (ならう), which means 'to learn' or 'to take lessons'. The particle を marks the thing you are learning.
私はピアノを習っています。
I'm taking piano lessons.
He's taking English conversation lessons.
A slightly more formal way to say you are taking lessons. レッスン means 'lesson', and 受ける (うける) means 'to take/receive'. Often used for private or specialized lessons.
週に一度、ギターのレッスンを受けています。
I take guitar lessons once a week.
Literally 'attending a ~ class'. 教室 (きょうしつ) means 'class' or 'school', and 通う (かよう) means 'to attend regularly'. Good for group classes or schools.
料理教室に通っています。
I'm taking cooking classes.
Means 'being taught ~'. Emphasizes the teacher-student relationship. 教わる (おそわる) is the passive/benefactive form of 教える (おしえる, to teach).
先生に書道を教わっています。
I'm taking calligraphy lessons from a teacher.
Referring to taking a particular lesson or class, often at a school or institution.
Used for academic classes or courses. 授業 (じゅぎょう) means 'class/lesson' in a school context. 受ける means 'to take'.
大学で経済学の授業を受けています。
I'm taking an economics class at university.
Casual way to say 'taking a class'. クラス is from English 'class', and 取る (とる) means 'to take'. Common among students.
今学期はフランス語のクラスを取っている。
I'm taking a French class this semester.
Emphasizing that you are learning from a particular person.
Use the particle に to mark the teacher. Same verb 習う.
田中先生にピアノを習っています。
I'm taking piano lessons from Mr./Ms. Tanaka.
More formal, using について meaning 'under (the guidance of)'. Often used in traditional arts.
有名な師匠について茶道を習っています。
I'm taking tea ceremony lessons under a famous master.
習う (ならう) implies learning from a teacher or taking lessons, while 勉強する (べんきょうする) means 'to study' on your own or in a class. If you are taking lessons, use 習う. If you are studying by yourself, use 勉強する.
ピアノを習っている。
I'm taking piano lessons.
日本語を勉強している。
I'm studying Japanese (possibly on my own).
The English verb 'take' in 'take lessons' does not translate to 取る (とる) except in the casual expression クラスを取る. Using 取る for other lesson types sounds unnatural.