“To teach” in Japanese is 教える (おしえる), pronounced oshieru.
Pronunciation
The word has 4 beats (morae), each about the same length. Tap a syllable to hear it, or play the whole word:
How to use it
To teach, and also to tell or show: 教えてください, please tell me.
Example sentences
- 英語を教えています。えいごをおしえています。I teach English.
- 電話番号を教えてください。でんわばんごうをおしえてください。Please tell me your phone number.
Conjugation
The most useful forms of 教える. The rules are explained in Japanese verbs: the ます form.
| Form | Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary (plain) | 教える おしえる | teach |
| Polite present | 教えます おしえます | teach |
| Polite negative | 教えません おしえません | don’t teach |
| Polite past | 教えました おしえました | past of “teach” |
| Plain negative (ない) | 教えない おしえない | don’t teach (casual) |
| Plain past (た) | 教えた おしえた | past of “teach” (casual) |
| て-form | 教えて おしえて | teach and… / please teach (+ください) |
| Want to (たい) | 教えたい おしえたい | want to teach |
Quick practice
Test yourself0/3
What does {{教える}} mean?
How do you read {{教える}}?
Which word means “to call”?
Related words: Everyday verbs
FAQ
How do you say to teach in Japanese?
To teach in Japanese is 教える (おしえる), pronounced “oshieru”.
How do you write to teach in Japanese?
It's written 教える with kanji, or おしえる in hiragana. Both are read oshieru.
Is 教える on the JLPT?
Yes. 教える (oshieru) is a common word at JLPT N5 level, so it's worth learning early.