教

jiào, jiāo

孝 + 攵

HSK 2.0Level 3

HSK 3.0Level 2

Definitions

jiāo (verb) to teach

jiào (noun) religion; teaching; doctrine

jiào (verb) to make; to cause

Etymology

Depicts teaching a child (子) mathematics or divination (爻) using a rod (攵).

Semantic: 攵 Phonetic: 孝

About

Etymologically, 教 depicts a child (子) being taught arithmetic or divination (爻) with a rod (攵). Its modern left component, 孝 (xiào), evolved from these two elements, while the right side 攵 (pū) still shows a hand holding a stick, suggesting guided instruction. The character thus conveys teaching, education, and moral discipline, functioning as a verb for imparting knowledge and a noun for education, organized teaching systems, doctrines, or religious institutions.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Warring States (475-221 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Warring States (475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Cao Wei (Three Kingdoms: 222-280 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

老师教我们数学。

Lǎoshī jiāo wǒmen shùxué.

The teacher teaches us math.

妈妈教我唱歌。

Māma jiāo wǒ chànggē.

Mom teaches me to sing.

学校教育很重要。

Xuéxiào jiàoyù hěn zhòngyào.

School education is very important.

他教我如何游泳。

Tā jiāo wǒ rúhé yóuyǒng.

He teaches me how to swim.

教育孩子需要耐心。

Jiàoyù háizi xūyào nàixīn.

Educating children requires patience.

教授在教室里讲课。

Jiàoshòu zài jiàoshì lǐ jiǎngkè.

The professor is giving a lecture in the classroom.

教育改革正在推进。

Jiàoyù gǎigé zhèngzài tuījìn.

Education reform is being promoted.

宗教文化影响深远。

Zōngjiào wénhuà yǐngxiǎng shēnyuǎn.

Religious culture has a profound influence.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 孝

Component: 攵

Example Words