教え・訓え|おしえoshie[0]heiban (flat)

JLPT N1approx.Common
Which spelling to use
教え教え is the most common form; it uses a mixture of kanji and kana and is the form beginners should normally choose.
訓え訓え is a rarely used alternative written with a mixture of kanji and kana; learners will seldom need to choose it.
Definitions
  1. nounteaching; instruction; teachings; precept; lesson; doctrine
    Much wisdom is to be found in the Bible.
Synonyms & antonyms
  • Synonym教訓きょうくんNeutralA lesson or moral (「失敗を教訓にする」); the focus is usually what one learns from experience, though it can also be admonition given by others.
  • Synonym指導しどうNeutralGuidance or coaching (「技術指導」); stresses concretely leading someone, while 「教え」 is the teaching itself.
  • Related教授きょうじゅNeutralNoun for a university professor or for instruction (「教授が講義する」); mostly the academic post, while 「教え」 is about the content of the teachings one received.
  • Related教義きょうぎNeutralReligious doctrine (「キリスト教の教義」); used only of religion, unlike the broadly applicable 「教え」.
  • Related指南しなんNeutralInstructing or coaching in an art or skill (「剣術指南」); carries an old-fashioned flavor.
  • Related戒めいましめNeutralAn admonition or precept (「戒めを守る」); centers on warning someone against wrongdoing rather than teaching in general.
  • Related教示きょうじNeutralInstruction or information given to someone; mostly met in letters asking for it, as in 「ご教示ください」 (please advise me).
  • Related教育きょういくNeutralEducation in the broad sense (「学校教育」); stresses systematic training and upbringing rather than the content of teachings.
  • Related教理きょうりWrittenWritten word for religious doctrine, used mainly in religious studies.
  • Related垂教すいきょうFormalFormal term for imparting teachings; rare — 「教え」 is the ordinary word.
  • Related垂訓すいくんFormalFormal word for moral instruction (「山上の垂訓」); mostly religious use.

「教え」 is the default for teachings from parents or teachers (「親の教え」「先生の教え」). Use 「教義」 for religious doctrine, 「教訓」 for lessons from experience, 「戒め」 for admonition, 「指導」 for hands-on guidance. 「教授」 is mainly a post, 「指南」 old-fashioned, 「教示」 instruction one asks for, as in 「ご教示ください」, and 「教理」「垂教」「垂訓」 rare.

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

Japanese definitions
  1. 「おしえる」の未然形みぜんけい。
  2. 「おしえる」の連用形れんようけい。
  3. 教おしえること。また、その内容ないよう。
  4. 教義きょうぎ。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

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