传授

• Pinyin: chuán shòu
• Hanzi breakdown: 传 = 亻 (person) + 专 (phonetic) = to transmit; 授 = 扌 (hand) + 受 (receive) = to confer, give

Meaning

To teach; to impart; to pass on (knowledge or skills). The formal transmission of knowledge from teacher to student.

More formal than 教, implies systematic teaching of specialized knowledge or skills. Often used for masters teaching disciples, professors teaching students, or experts sharing their expertise. Suggests a relationship of respect.

Examples

1. 老师傅把多年的经验毫无保留地传授给徒弟。 The old master passed on his years of experience to his apprentice without reservation.
2. 这门技术只在师徒之间口耳相传，从不外传。 This technique is only passed down verbally between master and apprentice, never to outsiders.
3. 他传授给我的不仅是知识，更是做人的道理。 What he taught me was not just knowledge, but principles of being a good person.

Usage Guide

Context: education, apprenticeship, martial arts

Tone: respectful

Do Say

• 感谢您传授我这些宝贵的知识。(Thank you for imparting this valuable knowledge to me.)
• 武术大师决定传授他独门绝技。(The martial arts master decided to teach him his unique skills.)

Don't Say

• 我传授他怎么开门 (Too formal for simple instructions — use 教 or 告诉 for basic tasks)

Origin & History

Compound of 传 (to transmit, pass on) and 授 (to give, to confer). Together they describe the act of giving knowledge to another.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal