教材
jiàocái · HSK 3
textbook
📚 教 (teach) + 材 (material) = teaching material, i.e. textbook
教 means teach or instruct; 材 means material, timber, or stuff. Together 教材 is literally teaching-material — the standard word for textbooks and course materials used in class.
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.