教える
おしえる
oshieru
= to teach / to tell / to inform
Oshieru (教える) means ‘to teach,’ ‘to tell,’ or ‘to inform.’ It describes sharing knowledge, skills, or information with others.
Oshieru is a regular ru-verb meaning to teach, instruct, or inform. ‘Sensei ga nihongo wo oshieru’ (the teacher teaches Japanese). The verb works for any transfer of knowledge: teaching skills, giving directions, or sharing information. Oshieru also means ‘to tell’ someone something: ‘denwa bangou wo oshiete kudasai’ (please tell me your phone number).
Oshieru is a ru-verb: oshe-ru → oshe-nai (doesn’t teach), oshi-ta (taught). Common with ‘ni’ particle: ‘kodomo ni oshieru’ (teach a child). Related: ‘narau’ (to learn, receiving oshieru).
教 (oshieru) depicts a person and a hand, representing teaching and guidance.
Everyday use
先生は毎日学生に日本語を教えます。
Sensei wa mainichi gakusei ni nihongo wo oshiemasu.
The teacher teaches Japanese to students every day.
Casual / Social Media
兄は妹に泳ぎ方を教えた。
Ani wa imoto ni oyogikara wo oshieta.
The older brother taught his younger sister how to swim.
Formal / Cultural context
親から子へ文化を教え伝える。
Oya kara ko e bunka wo oshie tsutaeru.
Parents pass down and teach culture to children.
Teaching and learning (oshieru and narau) are central to Japanese culture. The teacher-student relationship is hierarchical and respectful, with obligations on both sides.
Japanese education emphasizes transmission of not just knowledge but values, discipline, and cultural understanding.
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