Definitions

jiāo (verb) to teach
jiào (noun) religion; teaching; doctrine
jiào (verb) to make; to cause

Etymology

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

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 教 is a phono-semantic compound. On the left, 孝 (xiào, "filial piety") provides both the phonetic element and a conceptual foundation. On the right, the radical 攵 (pū) depicts a hand holding a stick, symbolizing corrective guidance. Together, they form the core idea of instruction: imparting knowledge or moral behavior through a combination of guidance and gentle correction. As a verb, it means to teach; as a noun, it refers to education, doctrine, or a religious institution.

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

老师我们数学。

Lǎoshī jiāo wǒmen shùxué.

The teacher teaches us math.

妈妈我唱歌。

Māma jiāo wǒ chànggē.

Mom teaches me to sing.

学校育很重要。

Xuéxiào jiàoyù hěn zhòngyào.

School education is very important.

我如何游泳。

Tā jiāo wǒ rúhé yóuyǒng.

He teaches me how to swim.

育孩子需要耐心。

Jiàoyù háizi xūyào nàixīn.

Educating children requires patience.

授在室里讲课。

Jiàoshòu zài jiàoshì lǐ jiǎngkè.

The professor is giving a lecture in the classroom.

育改革正在推进。

Jiàoyù gǎigé zhèngzài tuījìn.

Education reform is being promoted.

文化影响深远。

Zōngjiào wénhuà yǐngxiǎng shēnyuǎn.

Religious culture has a profound influence.