教える
おしえる · oshieru · JLPT N5 · verb-ichidan
to teach
📚 oshieru: Oh, she (oshi) airs (eru) what she knows = teaches
教 is the kanji for teaching, also read kyō in 教室 (classroom) and 教育 (education). える is the verb ending. Sound hook: Oh-she-eru, oh she airs her knowledge, so others learn it.
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.