教
教 means to teach, to instruct, or education. It appears in many everyday words related to learning, school, teachers, and instruction.
Reading
On’yomi: キョウ (kyou)
Kun’yomi: おし-える (oshi-eru), おそ-わる (oso-waru)
Basic Information
| Kanji | 教 |
|---|---|
| Meaning | teach, education, doctrine |
| Stroke Count | 11 |
| JLPT Level | N4 |
How to Understand This Kanji
教 is mainly about passing knowledge from one person to another. It can describe teaching someone directly, receiving instruction, formal education, or organized systems of belief and learning. Unlike 学, which focuses on learning or study, 教 focuses on the act of teaching or the structure that provides instruction.
Common Words
- 教える（おしえる / oshieru） — to teach, to tell, to explain
- 教わる（おそわる / osowaru） — to be taught, to learn from someone
- 教室（きょうしつ / kyoushitsu） — classroom
- 教師（きょうし / kyoushi） — teacher, instructor
- 教科書（きょうかしょ / kyoukasho） — textbook
- 教育（きょういく / kyouiku） — education
Example Sentences
-
先生が漢字を教えます。
せんせいがかんじをおしえます。 / Sensei ga kanji o oshiemasu.
The teacher teaches kanji.
-
友だちに道を教えました。
ともだちにみちをおしえました。 / Tomodachi ni michi o oshiemashita.
I told my friend the way.
-
教室で日本語を勉強します。
きょうしつでにほんごをべんきょうします。 / Kyoushitsu de nihongo o benkyou shimasu.
I study Japanese in the classroom.
When Learners Usually See This Kanji
The most important word for beginners is 教える, meaning ‘to teach’ or ‘to tell someone how to do something.’ In compounds, the on’yomi キョウ is very common, as in 教室, 教師, 教科書, and 教育. Be careful not to confuse 教える with 習う: 教える is what the teacher does, while 習う is what the learner does.
Summary
教 means teaching or education, and it is essential for words about classrooms, teachers, textbooks, and learning systems.