Japanese word

教訓

Pronunciation

Romajikyōkun

Meaning

  • nounmoral

Example

この物語の教訓は何ですか？ko no monogatari no kyō kun wa nan de su ka

What is the moral of this story?

Illustration for 教訓 (moral)

More examples

祖父は昔の話に人生の教訓を込めました。so fu wa mukashi no hanashi ni jin sei no kyō kun o ko me ma shi ta

My grandfather included a life lesson in a story from long ago.

Core concept

教訓 (kyōkun) centers on a guiding lesson drawn from a story or experience and applied to later conduct.

Common phrases

  • 教訓を生かすkyō kun o i ka su

    apply a lesson

  • 教訓を得るkyō kun o u ru

    learn a lesson

Similar words

教えoshie: A lesson or principle passed on through teaching, example, or experience.
戒めimashime: A warning drawn from a mistake or harmful event that guides future conduct.
訓戒kunkai: A formal warning that teaches proper conduct and discourages wrongdoing.

Definition in Japanese

物語や出来事から得られる、守るべきことや将来に生かすべきことを示す事柄。monogatari ya de ki goto ka ra e ra re ru mamo ru be ki ko to ya shō rai ni i ka su be ki ko to o shime su koto gara

Word origin

教 (kyō, "teach") + 訓 (kun, "instruction") forms 教訓 (kyōkun), a Sino-Japanese compound for a lesson or moral drawn from instruction.

Usage tips

  • The phrase 歴史の教訓 (rekishi no kyōkun) is common in Japanese discussions of wars, disasters, and political events, where it means a lesson that should guide future decisions.

Other meanings

  • lessonnoun
  • teachingnoun

Related words

  • 教訓的kyōkuntekiinstructivena-adjective

Word lists with this word