説教

• Reading: せっきょう
• Romaji: sekkyou
• Kanji breakdown: 説 (setsu) — explain, preach; 教 (kyou) — teach, doctrine, religion
• Pronunciation: /sek.kjoː/

Meaning

Sermon; preaching; homily. Also used colloquially to mean a lecture or scolding.

A noun and suru-verb with two distinct usages: (1) a religious sermon or homily delivered by a priest or monk, and (2) colloquially, a long-winded lecture or scolding from someone in authority. The second usage is very common in everyday Japanese: 親に説教された (got lectured by my parents), 説教くさい (preachy). Common collocations include 説教をする (to preach/lecture), 説教を垂れる (to drone on with a lecture), and 説教くさい (annoyingly preachy).

Examples

1. 父に門限を破ったことで長い説教をされた。 I got a long lecture from my dad for breaking curfew.
2. 住職が法事で心に響く説教をした。 The head priest gave a moving sermon at the memorial service.
3. 酔うといつも説教を始める上司が面倒だ。 It's a pain dealing with a boss who always starts lecturing when he's drunk.

Usage Guide

Context: religion, family, workplace

Tone: varies

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese: 説 (setsu, explain/theory/preach) + 教 (kyou, teach/doctrine/religion). Originally a Buddhist term meaning 'to expound the teachings,' later broadened to include secular lecturing and moralising.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal