教授

• Reading: きょうじゅ
• Romaji: kyouju
• Kanji breakdown: 教 (kyou) — to teach, instruction; 授 (ju) — to confer, to grant
• Pronunciation: /kʲoː.dʑɯ/

Meaning

Professor. The highest regular academic rank at a university.

A noun referring to a full professor at a university, the most senior faculty position. Also functions as a suru verb meaning to teach or instruct. In Japanese universities, the hierarchy is 教授 (professor) → 准教授 (associate professor) → 講師 (lecturer) → 助教 (assistant professor).

Examples

1. 山田教授の授業はいつも面白い。 Professor Yamada's classes are always interesting.
2. 将来、大学の教授になりたいです。 I want to become a university professor in the future.
3. 教授に推薦状を書いてもらった。 I had the professor write me a letter of recommendation.

Usage Guide

Context: university, research, honorifics

Tone: respectful

Origin & History

Composed of 教 (to teach) and 授 (to confer, to grant). The combination conveys the idea of one who teaches and bestows knowledge upon others.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal