教授

kyōju
nounIntermediate
formal

A university professor; a teacher at a higher education institution.

その教授は物理学の分野で著名です。

The professor is renowned in the field of physics.

💡

In Japanese, '教授' refers specifically to a full professor, the highest academic rank in universities.

formal

To teach or instruct someone.

先生は生徒に歴史を教授しました。

The teacher instructed the students in history.

💡

This usage is less common and typically found in formal or literary contexts.

Collocations

教授になるto become a professor教授を務めるto serve as a professor

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Phrases

教授職phrase
professorship
教授陣phrase
faculty of professors

💡Pro Tip

Academic Rank

In Japan, '教授' is the highest academic rank, above '准教授' (associate professor) and '講師' (lecturer).

Gold Rule

Formal Usage

'教授' is a formal title and should not be used casually. It is always used with the honorific '先生' (sensei) in polite contexts.

📖Word Origin

From Chinese '教授' (jiàoshòu), meaning 'to teach and instruct'. The term was adopted into Japanese with the same meaning.

📝Usage Notes

'教授' is a formal title given to senior academics in universities. It is equivalent to the English 'professor' and is the highest academic rank in Japan's university system. The verb form is rarely used in modern Japanese.

Word Breakdown

teach
root
+
grant, impart
root
和英辞典