教
gaau³
To teach in Cantonese is 教 (gaau³).
The verb 教 is used to describe the act of passing on knowledge.
Meaning: to pass on knowledge (verb)
Which one should you use?
While 教 is the common verb, 教學 is a more formal term often used in academic or professional contexts to refer to the act of teaching. Additionally, the phrase 教書 literally translates to 'teach books' and is used to refer to teaching in schools or providing formal education.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb 教 is used with a direct object for the person being taught and can be followed by the subject matter.
How do you pronounce it?
gaau³
Did you know?
- In Cantonese culture, the teacher's role is so revered that the word 教 is linked to the concept of 'civilizing'. A teacher does not just provide facts but is expected to shape a student's moral character.
- Cantonese uses 教 in the phrase 教訓, which means to lecture someone sternly or to give them a hard lesson. In this context, the 'teaching' is often a form of discipline or punishment.
- In certain Cantonese colloquialisms, the concept of 'teaching' can be used ironically to describe someone who is acting like a 'know-it-all'.
Examples in context
- 冇心學就好難教。It's difficult to teach people what they're unwilling to learn.This sentence illustrates the difficulty of teaching someone who lacks the desire to learn using 教.Tatoeba #7986242 by nickyeow, translation #939163 by CK
- 我星期一教你吖。I'll teach you how to do that on Monday.This sentence shows a casual commitment to teach someone something on a specific day using 教.Tatoeba #9536282 by nickyeow, translation #9501265 by CK
- 你可唔可以教我法文呀？Can you teach me French?This sentence is a way to ask someone to teach you a specific language using 教.Tatoeba #6103488 by nickyeow, translation #2451628 by CK
- 佢喺一間中學教書 (keoi5 hai2 jat1 gaan1 zung1 hok6 gaau3 syu1).He teaches in a secondary school.
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about learning to cook.
- 俊傑 Chun Kit美玲，你可以教我煮飯嗎？Mei Ling, nei ho yi gau ngo zyu fan ma?Mei Ling, can you teach me how to cook?
- 美玲 Mei Ling沒問題，我可以教你。mut man tai, ngo ho yi gau nei.No problem, I can teach you.
- 俊傑 Chun Kit我想學啲簡單嘅菜式。ngo soeng hok di gaan daan ge coi sik.I want to learn some simple dishes.
- 美玲 Mei Ling好啊，星期六我教你。hou aa, sing kei luk ngo gau nei.Okay, I will teach you this Saturday.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “teach” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
