教授
kyōju[kʲo̞ːʑɨ]
In Japanese, teaching can be expressed in several ways depending on whether you are referring to the profession or the act itself. 教授 (kyōju). Wiktionary also lists 教職 (kyōshoku) and 教えること (oshieru koto).
Meaning: the profession of teaching, the activity that a teacher does when he/she teaches (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 教授 | kyōju | [kʲo̞ːʑɨ] (narrow) |
| 教職 | kyōshoku | |
| 教えること | oshieru koto |
The term for teaching varies based on context. Use 教職 when referring to the teaching profession or a career in education. Use 教えること to describe the actual activity or process of teaching someone. In a formal context, 教育 (kyōiku) is the general term for education and teaching.
Which one should you use?
Use 教職 when referring to teaching as a career or profession rather than the act itself.
How does it change in a sentence?
教職 is a compound noun consisting of 教 (teach) and 職 (job/occupation).
How do you pronounce it?
kyōju
When do people say it?
先生 (sensei) is used as a respectful way to address teachers, instructors and professionals. The word 学校 (gakkō) means 'school' in Japanese. 授業 (jugyō) translates to 'lesson' or 'class'.
Did you know?
- The word 先生 (sensei), often used for teachers, literally translates to 'one who has gone before'.
- Although 先生 (sensei) is the word for teacher, it is also used to address authors, lawyers and doctors. This is because these professions are viewed as 'those who teach' or guide others.
- The term 教育 (kyōiku) for 'education' is often used in the context of 'character building', implying that teaching is as much about morals as it is about facts.
Examples in context
- 彼は教職に就いた。He went into teaching.This sentence shows how to use 教職 to indicate someone entered the teaching profession.Tatoeba #108319 by bunbuku, translation #295366 by CK
- 彼は教職の経験が豊富だ。He has a lot of teaching experience.This sentence uses 教職 to describe someone having a lot of experience in the profession.Tatoeba #108320 by bunbuku, translation #1316085 by CK
- 我が校は新しい教授法を採用した。Our school has adopted a new teaching method.This sentence uses 教授 to describe a teaching method.Tatoeba #186426 by huizi99, translation #23562 by CK
- Kyōiku no tame ni (教育のために)For the sake of education
- Watashi wa eigo o oshieru koto ga suki desu. (私は英語を教えることが好きです。)I enjoy teaching English.
- Kotoshi biyōin de kōshū o yarimashita. (今年、病院で講習をやりました。)I conducted a lecture at the hospital this year.
- Eigo no sensei (英語の先生)English teacher
- Gakkō de kyōiku suru (学校で教育する)To educate in school
- Eigo no jugyō o shimasu (英語の授業をします)I will teach an English class
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yui and Kenta are discussing their future career goals.
- 結衣 Yui健太は将来、何をしたいの？Kenta wa shourai, nani o shitai no?Kenta, what do you want to do in the future?
- 健太 Kenta大学での教授に興味があるんだ。Daigaku de no kyoushuu ni kyoumi ga aru n da.I'm interested in university teaching.
- 結衣 Yuiすごいね！何を教えたいの？Sugoi ne! Nani o oshietai no?That's great! What do you want to teach?
- 健太 Kenta歴史の教授をやってみたいな。Rekishi no kyoushuu o yatte mitai na.I'd like to try teaching history.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “teaching” translations and entries 教授, 教職, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
