教える
oshieru[o̞ɕie̞ɾɯ̟]
The Japanese verb for 'to teach' is 教える (oshieru).
教える means to pass on knowledge or to teach a subject. In Japanese, this word is also used to mean 'to tell' someone information, such as a phone number or a way to a location.
Meaning: to pass on knowledge (verb)
Which one should you use?
For more specific contexts, 指導する (shidō suru) focuses more on guidance and instruction, whereas 教授する (kyōju suru) is used when referring to teaching at the university level or delivering lectures.
How does it change in a sentence?
The polite form of 教える is 教えます, and the past tense is 教えた (taught).
How do you pronounce it?
oshieru
Did you know?
- If you want to ask for a person's phone number or email address, you use 教える (oshieru) to ask them to 'teach' it to you.
- The verb 教授する (kyōju suru) is not just a way to say 'to teach' more formally, but is specifically tied to the title of a university professor.
- Depending on the context, a person who 'teaches' (oshieru) someone may be seen as someone providing a service, whereas a 'guide' (shidō suru) is seen as a mentor or authority figure.
Examples in context
- 彼の仕事は英語を教えることだ。His job is to teach English.This sentence uses 教える to describe someone's job involving English.Tatoeba #117240 by bunbuku, translation #286424 by CK
- フランス語を教えるのは容易くないよ。It isn't easy to teach French.This sentence uses 教える to express that teaching French is not easy.Tatoeba #9752001 by small_snow, translation #6221543 by CK
- フランス語を教えるのは簡単じゃないよ。It's not easy to teach French.This sentence uses 教える to express that teaching French is not simple.Tatoeba #9752000 by small_snow, translation #6221544 by CK
- 私は英語を教えますI teach English.
- 彼はスポーツを指導しますHe coaches sports.
- 彼女は大学で数学を教授していますShe teaches mathematics at the university.
- 新しいダンスのステップを教えてくださいPlease teach me the steps to the new dance.
- このアプリの使い方を教えてくださいPlease teach me how to use this app.
- 新しいレシピを教えてよPlease teach me the new recipe.
- 彼は学生に数学を教えます。He teaches mathematics to students.
- 父は私にドライブの仕方を教えるつもりです。My dad intends to teach me how to drive.
- おばあちゃんが新しい手芸を教えてくれた。Grandma taught me a new handicraft.
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ren is asking Misaki for help with a hobby.
- 蓮 Renギターの弾き方を教えてくれる？Gitaa no hikikata o oshiete kureru?Can you teach me how to play the guitar?
- 美咲 Misakiいいよ。いつ教える？Ii yo. Itsu oshieru?Sure. When should I teach you?
- 蓮 Ren今週の土曜日はどうかな？Konshuu no doyoubi wa dou kana?How about this Saturday?
- 美咲 Misakiいいよ、土曜日に教えるね。Ii yo, doyoubi ni oshieru ne.Okay, I'll teach you on Saturday.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “teach” translations and entries 教える, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
