How to say "preach" in Japanese

• 説くとくJLPT N1approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbCovers 'preach' in the sense of advocating or setting forth a doctrine, moral principle, or teaching. It is the common general verb for preaching an idea or belief.
  あの男おとこを説き伏ときふせようとするのは、オオカミに道理どうりを説といて聞きかせるようなものだ。↗

  You might as well reason with the wolf as try to persuade that man.
• 教え諭すおしえさとす
  godan verbCovers 'preach' as guiding and admonishing a listener directly, patiently explaining until they understand. A less common choice, it fits a parent, teacher, or mentor preaching to someone about how they should live.
• 世に説くよにとく
  expression, godan verbCovers 'preach' in the sense of putting one's ideas forward to society at large, as a thinker or reformer proclaiming a doctrine to the world. A less common phrase rather than a single verb.

Use 「説く」 for preaching a doctrine or principle, 「教え諭す」 for preaching to someone in order to guide and admonish them, and 「世に説く」 for proclaiming one's ideas to the world at large.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 説くとくto explain
• 教え諭すおしえさとすto give guidance
• 世に説くよにとくto set forth
• 教えるおしえるto preach
• 唱えるとなえるto advocate