教授
jiàoshòu · HSK 4
professor
👨🏫 教 = teach + 授 = confer/hand over → one who confers teaching
教 (jiào) means teach; 授 (shòu) means to confer or hand over knowledge. Together: the person who hands over instruction — a professor. Both characters share a teaching/giving sense, doubling the academic meaning.
教 — 老 (filial son being taught) + 攵 (hand with stick)
教 originally depicted an adult holding a stick or rod (攵) instructing a child, often shown with the element 爻 (lessons/counting) above 子 (child). It is a classic associative compound meaning 'to teach' or 'to instruct,' with the right side suggesting discipline and guidance. The modern meanings 'teach, religion, doctrine' all extend from this image of formal instruction.