Definition
To teach someone something; to show or explain how to do something.
Example
她教我怎么做饺子。
Show translation
She taught me how to make dumplings.
Etymology
教 is an ancient character found in oracle bone script. Its traditional form shows a hand holding a rod (攴, a strike radical) on the right, next to a child learning 孝 (filial duty) on the left — evoking the classical image of a teacher guiding a student through firm instruction. The character has been used in Chinese writing for over 3,000 years with essentially the same meaning.
Cultural note
教 has two distinct pronunciations with different roles: jiāo (tone 1) means "to teach" as a verb — what a teacher *does* — while jiào (tone 4) means "education" or "religion" as a noun or in compounds like 教育 (jiàoyù, education) and 宗教 (zōngjiào, religion). Mixing these tones is a classic learner mistake. Teachers (老师, lǎoshī) hold a place of deep respect in Chinese culture, rooted in Confucian values — Teacher's Day (教师节, Jiàoshī Jié) is celebrated every September 10th.