Ways to say it
| Marathi | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| शिक्षक | śikṣak | /ɕik.ʂək/ | |
| टीचर | ṭīcar | ||
| गुरु | guru | masculine |
A teacher is a person who teaches.
Which one should you use?
While शिक्षक refers to a professional teacher, गुरु is used for a spiritual guide or a mentor with deep respect. In some contexts, the term Adhyapak may also be used as a formal term for teacher.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
शिक्षक is the standard, formal term used in textbooks, official documents and formal speech. In casual, spoken Marathi, especially in urban settings or schools, the English loanword टीचर is very commonly used. The term गुरु is reserved for spiritual or traditional contexts of deep respect.
How does it change in a sentence?
The feminine form of the noun शिक्षक is शिक्षिका.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of śikṣak is /ɕik.ʂək/. It has two syllables. The sound /i/ is like the 'y' in happ[y], the /k/ is like the 'c' in s[c]an, the /ʂ/ is like the 'sh' in American wor[sh]ip and the /ə/ is like the 'a' in [a]bout.
Did you know?
- While शिक्षक is the standard word, the Marathi word for a student is विद्यार्थी, which literally translates to 'seeker of knowledge'.
- The term गुरु is so culturally significant that it is used in the name of 'Guru Purnima', a specific festival dedicated to honoring teachers and mentors.
- The word शिक्षक shares its roots with the Sanskrit word for 'learning' or 'instruction', making it an ancient term that has remained virtually unchanged for millennia.
Examples in context
- तो एक शिक्षक आहे.He is a teacher.Tatoeba #2098751 by sabretou, translation #295346 by CK
- तो शिक्षक आहे का?Is he a teacher?Tatoeba #2098790 by sabretou, translation #300638 by CK
- मी पण शिक्षक आहे.I am a teacher, too.Tatoeba #2128364 by sabretou, translation #262362 by CK
- 85 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Amit and Sneha are talking about their new school instructor.
- अमित Amitतुमचे नवीन शिक्षक कसे आहेत?tumace navin shikshak kase ahet?How is your new teacher?
- स्नेहा Snehaते खूप चांगले शिक्षक आहेत.te khup changle shikshak ahet.He is a very good teacher.
- अमित Amitते कोणत्या विषयाचे शिक्षक आहेत?te kontya vishayace shikshak ahet?What subject is he a teacher of?
- स्नेहा Snehaते गणिताचे शिक्षक आहेत.te ganitace shikshak ahet.He is a math teacher.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “teacher” translations and entries शिक्षक, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries शिक्षक, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
