指南|しなんshinan[1]atamadaka (head-high)
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Definitions
- noun, suru verb, transitive verbinstruction (in martial arts, performance, etc.); teaching; coachingfrom the compass in a 指南車 always pointing the same direction
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 指南する（しなんする） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 指南します（しなんします） |
| Negative (nai) | 指南しない（しなんしない） |
| polite (masen) | 指南しません（しなんしません） |
| classical zu / nu | 指南せず・指南せぬ（しなんせず・しなんせぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 指南した（しなんした） |
| polite (mashita) | 指南しました（しなんしました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 指南しなかった（しなんしなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 指南しませんでした（しなんしませんでした） |
| Te form | 指南して（しなんして） |
| Potential | 指南できる（しなんできる） |
| Passive | 指南される（しなんされる） |
| Causative | 指南させる（しなんさせる） |
| Causative passive | 指南させられる（しなんさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 指南すれば（しなんすれば） |
| tara | 指南したら（しなんしたら） |
| Volitional | 指南しよう（しなんしよう） |
| polite (mashou) | 指南しましょう（しなんしましょう） |
| Imperative | 指南しろ（しなんしろ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym指導しどうNeutralGuidance or leadership, as in 「指導者」; the most common word in everyday use, while 「指南」 is old-fashioned and mostly for teaching martial arts and arts.
- Synonym教示きょうじFormalFormal word for instructing or informing someone, as in 「ご教示ください」; unlike 「指南」, it is not mainly about teaching an art or skill.
- Synonym伝授でんじゅWrittenWritten word for passing on the secrets or inner mysteries of an art, as in 「秘伝を伝授する」; 「指南」 stresses hands-on teaching of the skill itself.
- SynonymコーチNeutralLoanword for a coach or technical instruction, mainly in sports; unlike 「指南」, it does not suggest teaching a traditional art.
- Synonym教えるおしえるNeutralVerb for teaching, telling or showing; the most versatile everyday word, unlike 「指南」, which is old-fashioned and mostly for arts.
- Synonym仕込むしこむNeutralVerb for drilling or training someone, and also for stocking goods; unlike 「指南」, it is not mainly about teaching an art.
- Related教育きょういくNeutralEducation in the broad sense, with emphasis on nurturing and developing people; unlike 「指南」, it is not mainly about teaching an art.
- Related教授きょうじゅNeutralTeaching academic subjects, and also the title of professor; unlike 「指南」, it is not mainly about teaching an art or skill.
- Related先生せんせいNeutralTeacher, and also an honorific for doctors, lawyers and the like; a word for the person, unlike 「指南」, which is the act of teaching.
- Related授業じゅぎょうNeutralLessons or classes at school; unlike 「指南」, it is not mainly about teaching an art or skill.
- Related親方おやかたNeutralA master, boss or foreman, also a sumo stable master; a word for the person, unlike 「指南」, which is the act of teaching.
- Related師匠ししょうNeutralA master or teacher of a traditional art or craft; a word for the person, unlike 「指南」, which is the act of teaching.
- Related教えおしえNeutralTeachings, precepts or doctrine; unlike 「指南」, it is not mainly about teaching an art or skill.
- Related家庭教師かていきょうしNeutralA private tutor who teaches a child at home; a word for the person, unlike 「指南」, which is the act of teaching.
- Related授けるさずけるNeutralVerb for granting or conferring something and imparting knowledge; unlike 「指南」, it is not mainly about teaching an art.
- Related伝えるつたえるNeutralVerb for conveying or passing on information or things; unlike 「指南」, it is not mainly about teaching an art.
- Related指南役しなんやくNeutralA person who serves as instructor or guide; old-fashioned like 「指南」 itself, but it names the person rather than the teaching.
- Related指南番しなんばんWrittenAn archaic word for a master who teaches martial arts or performing arts; it names the person, unlike 「指南」, which is the teaching itself.
- Related教導きょうどうWrittenWritten word for guiding people with ideas or principles; unlike 「指南」, it is not mainly about teaching an art.
- Related示教しきょうWrittenWritten word for teaching by showing and demonstrating; unlike 「指南」, it is not mainly about teaching an art.
- Related宗匠そうしょうWrittenA master of refined arts such as tea ceremony or haiku; a word for the person, unlike 「指南」, which is the act of teaching.
- Related垂教すいきょうWrittenWritten, archaic word for leaving teachings for later generations; unlike 「指南」, it is not mainly about teaching an art.
- Related訓導くんどうWrittenWritten word for instruction and guidance; also a licensed teacher under the old elementary-school system. Unlike 「指南」, it is not mainly about teaching an art.
- Antonym迷わすまよわすNeutralTo puzzle, bewilder or delude someone; it contrasts with 「指南」 only as misleading versus guiding, and is not a direct antonym.
- Antonym誤導ごどうNeutralAntonym: to mislead or lead someone astray, the opposite of the correct guidance 「指南」 implies.
「指南」 is an old-fashioned word for teaching and guiding someone in a martial art or skill, as in 「剣術指南」 and 「指南役」. In everyday speech use 「指導」 or 「教える」; for passing on secret techniques say 「伝授」, and for sports coaching 「コーチ」. The opposite is 「誤導」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
- 教え導くこと。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also
