教训

• Pinyin: jiào xùn
• Hanzi breakdown: 教 = 孝 + 攵 (to teach); 训 = 讠(speech) + 川 (rivers/phonetic) — to admonish or instruct with words

Meaning

Lesson (learned from mistakes); to teach someone a lesson. Refers to wisdom gained through failure or the act of scolding someone.

As a noun, refers to a lesson learned from a mistake or failure. As a verb, means to scold or discipline someone, often with a tone of authority or reprimand. Common collocations include 吸取教训 (to learn a lesson), 血的教训 (a lesson learned in blood — a harsh lesson), and 教训一顿 (to give a good scolding).

Examples

1. 这次失败给了我很大的教训。 This failure taught me a big lesson.
2. 他总是教训弟弟，让弟弟很不高兴。 He always lectures his younger brother, which makes his brother very unhappy.
3. 我们应该从错误中吸取教训。 We should learn lessons from our mistakes.

Usage Guide

Context: life experience, family, self-reflection

Tone: serious

Do Say

• 上次的教训让我学到了很多。(The lesson from last time taught me a lot.)
• 爸爸教训了他一顿。(Dad gave him a good scolding.)

Don't Say

• 谢谢你的教训 (Saying 'thanks for your 教训' sounds sarcastic — 教训 implies criticism; use 教导 or 指导 for positive guidance)

Origin & History

A compound of 教 (to teach) and 训 (to instruct/admonish), together suggesting instructing through discipline or learning from experience.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal