教わる
おそわる · osowaru · JLPT N3 · verb-godan
to be taught
📚 教 = teach: oshieru is to teach, osowaru is to be taught
Both verbs share the kanji 教. Change oshi- to oso- and you switch from giving the lesson to receiving it. The teacher takes に, as in 先生に教わる, to learn from the teacher. Sound hook: oh, so that's how it works, said by the one being taught.
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.