Meanings of 教养
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About 教养
Podcast: 教养
Podcast: 教养
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AI Study Notes for 教养
文明 (wénmíng) - use 教养 (jiàoyǎng) when emphasizing the personal upbringing and character development, while 文明 (wénmíng) focuses more on the broader concept of civilization and cultural refinement.
Imagine a teacher (教) nurturing a young plant (养) to grow into a strong tree. The character 教 represents teaching, while 养 suggests nurturing, combining to evoke the idea of cultivating both knowledge and morals.
Be mindful that 教养 can have a slightly formal tone, often used in contexts discussing upbringing or personal development. Common collocations include '良好教养' (good upbringing) and '教养水平' (level of education). Avoid confusing it with 教学 (teaching) which focuses more on the act of instruction rather than the overall nurturing.
As an HSK 6 word, 教养 connects with other advanced vocabulary related to education and personal development, such as 文化 (culture) and 习惯 (habit). Focus on how it's used in discussions about personal qualities and societal expectations.
In Chinese culture, 教养 is often associated with the Confucian value of cultivating one's character and moral integrity, making it a significant aspect of family upbringing. It's common for parents to emphasize the importance of 教养 alongside academic success.
Learners often confuse 教养 with 教育; for example, saying '我有好的教育' (I have good education) when they mean 'I have a good upbringing'. It's important to use 教养 to refer to upbringing and personal manners.
Pronunciation of 教养
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Component Characters
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Grammar Patterns of 教养
教养 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 8 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Complete the Sentence
他只是个有____的中产阶级家庭的男孩。
He's just a well-brought-up, middle-class boy.
Example Sentences for 教养 (3)
Cultural Notes for 教养
In Chinese culture, 教养 is often associated with the Confucian value of cultivating one's character and moral integrity, making it a significant aspect of family upbringing. It's common for parents to emphasize the importance of 教养 alongside academic success.
While Western cultures may focus more on individualism and personal achievement, Chinese culture places a stronger emphasis on collective values and the importance of a well-rounded upbringing.
Frequently Asked Questions about 教养
教育 (jiàoyù) refers specifically to education or teaching, while 教养 (jiàoyǎng) includes upbringing and personal development, focusing more on character and manners.