Translation and Meaning of: 教わる - osowaru

If you are studying Japanese, you may have come across the verb 教わる (おそわる). This word has a specific meaning and is commonly used in everyday life, but it can confuse those who are just starting out. In this article, we will explore its meaning, origin, translation, and how it is used in the Japanese language. Furthermore, we will provide tips for memorizing it and understanding its cultural context.

The term 教わる (osowaru) means "to be taught" or "to learn from someone" in English.

教わる (おそわる) is a Japanese verb that means "to be taught" or "to learn from someone." Unlike 教える (おしえる), which refers to the act of teaching, 教わる focuses on the person receiving the knowledge. It conveys the idea that learning comes from another person, highlighting a guiding relationship.

An interesting detail is that this word carries a tone of humility and gratitude. When a Japanese person says 先生に教わった (せんせいにおそわった), they are acknowledging that the teacher played an active role in their learning. This nuance is important to understand how Japanese culture values respect for teachers.

Origin and writing of kanji

The verb 教わる is composed of the kanji 教 (きょう), which means "to teach," and the verbal suffix わる, which indicates ivity or reception. This kanji also appears in words such as 教育 (きょういく, education) and 教師 (きょうし, teacher), highlighting its connection to the act of transmitting knowledge.

It is worth noting that 教わる is not an old term, but its grammatical structure follows classical patterns of Japanese. The combination of a kanji with a verbal suffix is common in the language, and understanding this formation can aid in memorizing other similar vocabulary.

How to use 教わる in daily life

This verb frequently appears in situations where someone is learning something new. For example, if you want to say "I learned to cook with my grandmother," you can use 祖母に料理を教わった (そぼにりょうりをおそわった). Note that the particle に indicates who is teaching, reinforcing the relationship between student and teacher.

Another common use is in academic or professional environments. Phrases like 先輩に仕事のやり方を教わった (せんぱいにしごとのやりかたをおそわった) show how the term is applied in formal contexts. It also appears in casual conversations, especially when someone wants to express gratitude for being guided.

Tips to memorize 教わる

An effective way to reinforce this word is to associate it with real-life situations. Think of moments when you learned something important from someone and try to create sentences using 教わる. This exercise helps to internalize not only the meaning but also the grammatical structure.

Another tip is to contrast it with 教える, its direct opposite. While one focuses on the act of teaching, the other emphasizes the one receiving the knowledge. Creating pairs of sentences with these two verbs can clarify their differences and make correct usage easier in conversations.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Verb conjugation of 教わる

• 教わる - Positive form, dictionary form
• 教わりませんでした - Past Negative Form
• 教わります - Positive present form
• 教われる - potential form
• 教わられます - Present ive form

Synonyms and similar words

• 習得する (shuutoku suru) - Learn or acquire knowledge or specific skills.
• 学ぶ (manabu) - Studying or learning in a broader sense, including theories and practices.
• 教えられる (oshierareru) - To be taught or instructed by another person; highlights ivity in learning.
• 受ける (ukeru) - Receive education or training, often in a formal context.