When you want to say to teach in Japanese, you can use the verb 教える (oshieru). It's a common verb that you'll use a lot, especially if you're talking about school or sharing information.
You can also use 教える when you want to say to tell or to inform someone about something. Think of it as conveying knowledge or information. For example, if you tell someone your name, you're using this verb.
When you're learning Japanese, you'll often encounter verbs that have multiple meanings depending on the context. 「教える」(oshieru) is a great example of this.
Its primary meaning is "to teach," as in to instruct someone in a skill or subject, like "先生が日本語を教える" (The teacher teaches Japanese).
However, 「教える」 can also mean "to tell" or "to inform," often used when providing information or directions. For instance, if someone asks for directions, you might say "道を教えてください" (Please tell me the way).
The key to understanding which meaning is intended lies in the particles and the overall context of the sentence.
When you're at a B2 level, distinguishing between 「教える」's nuances is important. While it fundamentally means 'to teach,' like in 「日本語を教える」 (to teach Japanese), it also carries the meaning of 'to tell' or 'to inform.'
For instance, if someone asks for directions, you would say 「道を教えてください」 (Please tell me the way), not just 'teach me the way.' It's about conveying information.
You might also use it when showing someone how to do something, such as 「使い方を教える」 (to show/teach how to use something).
The context will often clarify which meaning is intended, so pay attention to the surrounding words and situation.
§ Understanding 教える: To Teach, To Tell, To Inform
You've learned that 教える (oshieru) means "to teach," "to tell," or "to inform." This word is incredibly versatile in Japanese and you'll encounter it in many different situations. It's a fundamental verb for expressing the transfer of knowledge or information. Let's look at how it's used in real-world contexts, from your workplace to school and even in the news.
- Japanese Word
- 教える (oshieru)
- CEFR Level
- A2
- Definition
- to teach, to tell, to inform
§ 教える in the Workplace
In a professional setting, 教える is used when you're training new colleagues, explaining a process, or sharing information. It's not just about formal teaching; it can also be about giving instructions or guidance.
- Training new employees: When you're showing a new person the ropes, you'll definitely use 教える.
- Explaining procedures: If you need to walk someone through how to do something, this is the verb you want.
- Sharing project updates: Informing your team about the latest developments also falls under 教える.
新しいスタッフに仕事を教えます。
(I will teach/show the new staff the work.)
会議の時間と場所を教えてください。
(Please tell me the time and place of the meeting.)
§ 教える in School and Education
This is probably the most obvious context for 教える. Teachers teach, students are taught. But it's also used when one student helps another, or when someone is giving a lesson.
- Teachers teaching subjects: This is the direct meaning you'd expect.
- Students helping each other: If you're explaining something to a classmate, you're using 教える.
- Giving a lesson or seminar: Any situation where you're imparting knowledge in an educational setting.
先生が歴史を教えています。
(The teacher is teaching history.)
友達に日本語を教えてあげました。
(I taught my friend Japanese.)
§ 教える in News and Public Information
When it comes to news or public announcements, 教える is often used to describe the act of informing the public or revealing information. It's about disseminating facts or updates.
- Reporting facts: The news media often informs (教える) the public about events.
- Government announcements: When authorities release new information, they are using 教える.
- Revealing details: If someone discloses previously unknown information, this verb applies.
ニュースが最新の情報を教えてくれました。
(The news informed us of the latest information.)
警察は事故の原因を教えませんでした。
(The police did not tell the cause of the accident.)
§ Key Takeaways for 教える
As you can see, 教える is a really important verb. It's not just about formal teaching. Think of it as the general verb for sharing knowledge or information with someone. Here's a quick summary:
- Use it when you are directly teaching a skill or subject.
- Use it when you are telling someone information they don't know.
- Use it when you are informing someone about something.
Practice using 教える in your daily Japanese conversations. Try to explain something to a friend in Japanese, or ask someone to tell you something. The more you use it, the more natural it will become!
§ Mistakes people make with this word
Let's talk about some common pitfalls when using 教える. While it seems straightforward, there are nuances that can trip up even intermediate learners. Understanding these will help you sound more natural and avoid misunderstandings.
§ Mistake 1: Not specifying who is being taught
In English, you can often say "I teach math." In Japanese, you almost always need to specify who you are teaching. This is crucial for clarity.
- Wrong Example
- 私は数学を教えます。(Watashi wa sūgaku o oshiemasu.) - This is grammatically okay but sounds incomplete without a clear recipient.
私は学生に数学を教えます。
(Watashi wa gakusei ni sūgaku o oshiemasu.)
I teach math to students.
§ Mistake 2: Confusing "to teach" with "to learn"
This seems basic, but it's a common slip. 教える (oshieru) means "to teach," while 習う (narau) means "to learn." Don't mix them up!
- Wrong Example
- 日本語を教えます。(Nihongo o oshiemasu.) - If you mean "I learn Japanese," this is incorrect.
私は日本語を習います。
(Watashi wa Nihongo o naraimasu.)
I learn Japanese.
私は彼に日本語を教えます。
(Watashi wa kare ni Nihongo o oshiemasu.)
I teach him Japanese.
§ Mistake 3: Overusing 教える for "to tell" or "to inform"
While 教える can mean "to tell" or "to inform," it's often more natural to use other verbs depending on the context. For simple information or a quick piece of news, there are better choices.
- 伝える (tsutaeru): to convey, to report, to transmit
- 話す (hanasu): to speak, to talk (can also mean to tell in some contexts)
- 知らせる (shiraseru): to notify, to inform (often more formal)
彼にそのニュースを伝えました。
(Kare ni sono nyūsu o tsutaemashita.)
I told him the news. (More natural than using 教える here.)
彼女に会議の時間を知らせました。
(Kanojo ni kaigi no jikan o shirasemashita.)
I informed her of the meeting time.
§ Mistake 4: Using it for "to show" (physically)
Sometimes English speakers mistakenly use 教える when they mean "to show" something physically. 教える is for imparting knowledge or information, not for pointing something out or displaying an object.
- Wrong Example
- あの本を教えます。(Ano hon o oshiemasu.) - If you mean "I will show you that book," this is wrong.
あの本を見せます。
(Ano hon o misemasu.)
I will show you that book.
あの本の使い方を教えます。
(Ano hon no tsukaikata o oshiemasu.)
I will teach you how to use that book.
By being mindful of these common mistakes, you'll use 教える more accurately and effectively. Pay attention to the context and what you truly intend to convey, and your Japanese will sound much more natural.
Difficulty Rating
Common kanji, straightforward reading.
Relatively simple kanji strokes.
Common verb, easy to pronounce.
Clear pronunciation, frequently heard.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Examples by Level
学生に日本語を教えています。
I teach Japanese to students.
〜に〜を教える: to teach something to someone
道が分からなかったので、彼に道を教えてもらった。
I didn't know the way, so he told me the way.
〜てもらう: to receive the favor of someone doing something
このアプリの使い方を教えてください。
Please tell me how to use this app.
〜方を教える: to teach/tell how to do something
彼女は子供たちに歌を教えている。
She is teaching songs to the children.
〜に〜を教える: to teach something to someone
メールで詳細を教えます。
I will inform you of the details by email.
〜で〜を教える: to inform of something by means of something
先生は私たちに歴史を教えてくれた。
The teacher taught us history.
〜てくれる: someone does something for me (or my group)
次の会議の時間を教えていただけますか？
Could you please tell me the time of the next meeting?
〜ていただけますか: polite request, 'could you please...?'
経験を通して、人生の厳しさを教えられた。
Through experience, I was taught the harshness of life.
〜られる: passive voice
日本語を教えることができます。
I can teach Japanese.
〜ことができます (can do something)
道を教えてください。
Please tell me the way.
〜てください (please do something)
先生は生徒たちに歴史を教えた。
The teacher taught history to the students.
〜に〜を教える (teach something to someone)
彼に真実を教えるべきだ。
You should tell him the truth.
〜べきだ (should do something)
子供たちに泳ぎ方を教える。
I will teach the children how to swim.
〜方 (how to do something)
この機械の使い方を教えてもらえますか？
Could you tell me how to use this machine?
〜てもらえますか (could you do something for me?)
私は彼にそのニュースを教えることにした。
I decided to tell him the news.
〜ことにする (decide to do something)
新しいスキルを教えることで、自信がついた。
By teaching new skills, I gained confidence.
〜ことで (by doing something)
その先生は生徒たちに敬意を持って接し、彼らの学習意欲を引き出すのが得意です。
The teacher interacts with students respectfully, excelling at drawing out their motivation to learn.
〜に敬意を持って接する (to treat with respect); 〜を引き出す (to draw out)
彼女は長年の経験から培われた知識を、惜しみなく若い世代に教えています。
She generously teaches the younger generation the knowledge cultivated from her many years of experience.
〜から培われた (cultivated from); 惜しみなく (generously, without reservation)
この複雑な概念を理解させるためには、より分かりやすい例を挙げて教える必要があります。
To make them understand this complex concept, it's necessary to teach by providing simpler examples.
〜させる (causative form: to make someone do something); 〜を挙げる (to give/raise an example)
彼は自身の専門分野における最新の研究成果を、学会で発表し、多くの研究者に教えています。
He presents the latest research findings in his specialized field at academic conferences, teaching many researchers.
〜における (in/regarding); 研究成果 (research findings)
子供たちに環境保護の重要性を教えることは、持続可能な社会を築く上で不可欠です。
Teaching children the importance of environmental protection is essential for building a sustainable society.
〜の重要性 (the importance of); 〜を築く (to build/construct)
先輩社員が新入社員に業務の進め方を丁寧に教えることで、チーム全体の生産性が向上します。
When senior employees carefully teach new employees how to proceed with tasks, the entire team's productivity improves.
〜の進め方 (how to proceed with); 生産性が向上する (productivity improves)
彼は、単に知識を教えるだけでなく、生徒たちが自ら考える力を養うことにも重点を置いています。
He emphasizes not just teaching knowledge, but also nurturing students' ability to think for themselves.
〜だけでなく (not only... but also); 〜に重点を置く (to put emphasis on)
異文化理解を深めるためには、現地の言語を教えるだけでなく、その背景にある歴史や習慣も伝えるべきです。
To deepen cross-cultural understanding, one should not only teach the local language but also convey the history and customs behind it.
異文化理解 (cross-cultural understanding); 〜を伝える (to convey/tell)
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine a sensei (teacher) named **Oshieru** who **teaches** you about different cultures and **tells** you fascinating stories.
Visual Association
Picture a teacher (sensei) standing in front of a whiteboard, actively **teaching** a class. They are pointing to diagrams and patiently **informing** students. Focus on the action of imparting knowledge.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to use 「教える」in a sentence today. For example, 'Can you teach me Japanese?' (日本語を教えてもらえませんか？ - Nihongo o oshiete moraemasen ka?) or 'I will teach you how to cook.' (料理の仕方を教えます。 - Ryōri no shikata o oshiemasu.)
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions教える (oshieru) means 'to teach' or 'to inform,' where you are the one giving information or instruction. 習う (narau) means 'to learn' or 'to be taught,' where you are the one receiving information or instruction. They are opposites!
Yes, it can! While 'to teach' is the primary meaning, 教える can also mean 'to tell' or 'to inform,' especially when you are sharing information with someone. For example, 「秘密を教える」 (himitsu o oshieru) means 'to tell a secret.'
You would say: 英語を教えています (eigo o oshiete imasu). The particle を (o) marks the direct object (what you are teaching), and the -ています (-te imasu) form indicates an ongoing action or state.
Yes, a common and polite way is 教えてください (oshiete kudasai). This uses the -て form of the verb plus ください (kudasai), meaning 'please do X.'
Not necessarily. While it's used for formal teaching, 教える can also apply to informal situations, like teaching a friend a game, showing someone how to do something, or simply giving directions. For example, 「道を教える」 (michi o oshieru) means 'to tell someone the way/give directions.'
The past tense (plain form) is 教えた (oshieta). For the polite past tense, it's 教えました (oshiemashita).
Yes, you can! If you are showing someone how to do something, or pointing something out to them, 教える is appropriate. For example, 「写真を見せて教える」 (shashin o misete oshieru) could mean 'to show a picture and explain it' or 'to teach by showing a picture.'
A very common one is 教えてあげる (oshiete ageru), which means 'to teach/tell (for someone's benefit).' You might also hear 「教えてもらう」 (oshiete morau), meaning 'to have someone teach/tell you,' implying you received the benefit. Be mindful of who benefits when using these constructions.
Both can mean 'to tell' or 'to inform,' but 伝える (tsutaeru) often emphasizes the act of conveying a message or transmitting information, especially if it's a message from someone else. 教える (oshieru) focuses more on providing instruction, knowledge, or showing how to do something. Think of 伝える as 'to transmit a message' and 教える as 'to impart knowledge/instruction.'
The causative form is 教えさせる (oshiesaseru), which means 'to make someone teach/tell' or 'to let someone teach/tell.' However, this form is not used very often with this verb, as its meaning is already about giving instruction. It's more common to see causative forms with verbs of action where you want to make someone perform that action.
Test Yourself 42 questions
先生は日本語を私に___。
The context is 'teacher teaches Japanese to me'. The verb '教える' (oshieru) means 'to teach'.
友達に電話番号を___。
The context is 'tell a friend the phone number'. '教える' (oshieru) also means 'to tell' or 'to inform'.
道を___ください。
The phrase '道を教える' (michi o oshieru) means 'to tell the way' or 'to give directions'.
この漢字の読み方を___ことができますか。
The context is 'Can you teach me how to read this kanji?'. '教える' (oshieru) is the appropriate verb.
私は学生に英語を___。
The sentence 'I teach English to students' requires '教える' (oshieru).
彼の名前を___くれませんか。
To ask someone to tell you their name, you use '名前を教えてくれませんか' (namae o oshiete kuremasen ka).
Choose the correct kanji for 'oshieru' (to teach).
教える (oshieru) means 'to teach'. 食べる (taberu) is 'to eat', 飲む (nomu) is 'to drink', and 話す (hanasu) is 'to speak'.
Which sentence means 'I teach Japanese'?
教えます (oshiemasu) is the polite form of 'to teach'. The other options use verbs for 'eat', 'drink', and 'speak'.
If someone asks '何を教えますか？' (Nani o oshiemasu ka?), what are they asking?
教えます (oshiemasu) means 'to teach'. 食べます (tabemasu) is 'to eat', 飲みます (nomimasu) is 'to drink', and 話します (hanashimasu) is 'to speak'.
The word '教える' can be used to say 'to tell someone something'.
While 'to teach' is the primary meaning, '教える' can also mean 'to tell' or 'to inform' someone about something.
In Japanese, '教える' is only used for teaching in a school setting.
'教える' can be used in various contexts, not just formal school settings. For example, teaching a friend how to play a game.
The plain form of '教えます' is '教える'.
'教える' is the dictionary (plain) form of the verb, and '教えます' is its polite form.
This sentence means 'I teach Japanese.' The basic sentence structure is Subject + Object + Verb.
This means 'The teacher teaches the students.' 'に' indicates the indirect object (to whom something is taught).
This means 'Please tell me the way.' '〜て ください' is a common polite request form.
Choose the correct verb for 'My teacher teaches Japanese.'
教えます (oshiemasu) means 'to teach'. 習います (naraimasu) means 'to learn', 食べます (tabemasu) means 'to eat', and 飲みます (nomimasu) means 'to drink'.
Which sentence means 'Please tell me your name.'?
教えてください (oshiete kudasai) means 'Please tell me/teach me'. 食べてください (tabete kudasai) means 'Please eat', 飲んでください (nonde kudasai) means 'Please drink', and 書いてください (kaite kudasai) means 'Please write'.
What is the most appropriate verb to complete the sentence: '彼は私に新しいことを___。' (He ___ me new things.)
教える (oshieru) means 'to teach/tell'. 聞く (kiku) means 'to listen/ask', 読む (yomu) means 'to read', and 買う (kau) means 'to buy'.
The sentence '先生は生徒に本を教える。' means 'The teacher gives a book to the student.'
教える (oshieru) means 'to teach' or 'to tell/inform'. While a teacher might give a book, the primary meaning of this sentence would be 'The teacher teaches the student a book (i.e., teaches from a book or teaches about a book)'.
You can use 教える to ask someone to inform you of a time.
Yes, for example, 「時間を教えてください。」 (Jikan o oshiete kudasai.) means 'Please tell me the time.'
教える is only used for teaching in an academic setting.
No, it can also mean 'to tell' or 'to inform' in various contexts, not just academic ones. For example, telling someone your address.
先生は私たちに日本語を___。
「教えています」は「教えている」の丁寧語で、「先生が私たちに日本語を教えている」という状態を表します。
道が分からなかったので、彼に道を___もらいました。
「教えてもらいました」は「教えてもらう」の過去形で、「彼に道を教えてもらった」という行為を表します。
私は友達に料理の作り方を___あげました。
「教えてあげました」は「教えてあげる」の過去形で、「友達に料理の作り方を教えてあげた」という行為を表します。
この歌の歌詞の意味を___ください。
「教えてください」は「教えてくれる」の依頼形で、「この歌の歌詞の意味を教えてほしい」という要望を表します。
子供たちに正しい箸の使い方を___必要があります。
「教える必要があります」は「教える必要がある」という必要性を表します。
私は彼にそのニュースを___あげました。
「教えてあげました」は「教えてあげる」の過去形で、「彼にそのニュースを教えてあげた」という行為を表します。
The teacher is explaining new grammar.
Thank you for showing me the way.
She is teaching Japanese to children.
Read this aloud:
彼に真実を教えるべきですか？
Focus: 教える (oshieru)
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
料理の仕方を教えてください。
Focus: 教えてください (oshiete kudasai)
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
私は学生たちに歴史を教えています。
Focus: 教えています (oshiete imasu)
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
This sentence means 'He told me the secret.' The typical Japanese sentence structure is Subject-Indirect Object-Direct Object-Verb.
This sentence means 'The teacher is teaching history to the students.' The particles は (wa), に (ni), and を (o) mark the subject, indirect object, and direct object respectively.
This is a polite request meaning 'Could you please tell me the way?' The ていただけますか (te itadakemasen ka) form is a very polite way to ask for a favor.
/ 42 correct
Perfect score!
Example
先生が日本語を教えてくれる。
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
More education words
欠席する
A2To be absent.
抽象的
A1Describes something that is based on general ideas or concepts rather than specific physical objects or examples. It is often used to talk about thoughts, art, or explanations that are not easy to see or touch.
後天的
B2Refers to qualities, skills, or traits acquired through experience, learning, or environmental influence after birth.
応用
A1The act of applying a principle, theory, or knowledge to a practical situation or a different context. It is commonly used in education and science to describe moving from basic concepts to complex, real-world problems.
適性
B2A natural ability or suitability for a specific role, task, or academic path. It refers to the fitness of an individual's character or skills to a certain environment.
恣意的
B2Based on random choice or personal whim, rather than any reason or system. Often used in academic writing to criticize research methods or data selection.
出席する
A2To attend.
ボールペン
A2ballpoint pen
基本
A1Kihon refers to the fundamentals or basics of a subject, skill, or system. it describes the essential foundation that one must master before advancing to more complex levels.
有益
B2Being useful, beneficial, or profitable. It describes something that brings a positive effect or helps in achieving a goal.
