教训

jiào xun

HSK 2.0 Level 5 HSK 3.0 Level 6 Verb Common

Definitions

1. to provide guidance
2. to lecture sb
3. to upbraid
4. a talking-to
5. a bitter lesson

Word relationships

Register variants

1 item

• 教诲 jiào huì 教诲 jiào huì (literary) to instruct; to admonish; to counsel Formal or literary term for earnest instruction: (literary) to instruct; to admonish; to counsel

Related words

1 item

• 训斥 xùn chì 训斥 xùn chì to reprimand More specifically to reprimand harshly: to reprimand

Synonyms

2 items

• 教导 jiào dǎo 教导 jiào dǎo to instruct When meaning to instruct or guide with authority: to instruct
• 指导 zhǐ dǎo 指导 zhǐ dǎo to guide When meaning to give direction or advice: to guide

Usage notes

Collocations

Commonly used in the structure 给…一个教训 (teach someone a lesson), implying punishment or harsh reprimand.

Common mistakes

When 教训 means 'a lesson learned from failure,' it is often used as a noun, not a verb, e.g., 吸取教训 (learn a lesson). Do not use it as a verb in this sense.

Example Sentences

2 shown

我们要牢记历史 教训 。

We must keep the lessons of history firmly in mind.

我们要从错误中吸取 教训 。

We must draw lessons from our mistakes.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Words Containing 教训

• 吸取教训 吸取教训 xī qǔ jiào xun: to draw a lesson (from a setback)
• 生聚教训 生聚教训 shēng jù jiào xùn: to increase the population, amass wealth, and teach the people to be faithful to the cause (in preparation for war, following a defeat)

Child Words of 教训

• 教 教 jiāo: to teach
• 教 教 jiào: religion
• 训 训 xùn: to teach