Translation guide
The English word 'tutor' can refer to a private teacher, a university teaching assistant, or the act of teaching someone. In Japanese, the most natural translation depends on the context: whether it's a paid private instructor, an academic mentor, or a peer helper.
A person hired to give extra lessons, often outside of school, in subjects like English, math, or music.
The standard word for a private tutor who comes to your home or teaches you individually. Commonly used for school subjects.
彼女は週に2回、家庭教師に英語を教わっている。
She is tutored in English twice a week.
Literally 'teacher for individual instruction'. A more descriptive phrase, often used in ads or formal contexts.
個人指導の先生を探しています。
I'm looking for a private tutor.
Loanword from English. Used in some contexts, but less common than 家庭教師. May be understood in international schools or language schools.
英会話学校でチューターとして働いています。
I work as a tutor at an English conversation school.
A person at a university who provides academic support, leads small group discussions, or helps with coursework. Similar to a teaching assistant.
In Japanese universities, チューター often refers to a graduate student who advises undergraduates or leads seminars. This is a direct loanword and is widely understood in academic settings.
大学のチューターがレポートの書き方を教えてくれた。
The university tutor taught me how to write a report.
Refers to an academic advisor or supervising teacher, often for research. More formal and implies a longer-term mentoring relationship.
指導教員に論文の添削をお願いした。
I asked my tutor to proofread my thesis.
Abbreviation for Teaching Assistant. Used in universities for students who assist professors with classes, grading, or lab sessions. Overlaps with 'tutor' in some contexts.
TAが演習の補助をしてくれる。
The TA helps with the seminar.
A fellow student who helps with studies, often informally or through a school program.
The most natural way to describe a friend who helps you study. There is no single word for 'peer tutor' in Japanese; this phrase is clear and common.
数学が得意な友達に勉強を教えてもらっている。
I'm getting tutored by a friend who's good at math.
Some schools have formal peer tutoring systems and use the word チューター. However, it's less common than describing the relationship directly.
学校のチューター制度を利用している。
I'm using the school's peer tutoring system.
The act of teaching someone privately or in a small group.
Literally 'to do private tutoring'. The most common way to say you work as a tutor.
大学生のとき、家庭教師をしていました。
I used to tutor when I was a university student.
Means 'to give individual instruction'. Slightly more formal, used in educational contexts.
彼は放課後に生徒に個人指導をしている。
He tutors students after school.
A general phrase meaning 'to teach (someone) studies'. Can be used for informal tutoring situations.
週末に妹に数学を教えている。
I tutor my younger sister in math on weekends.
The English word 'tutor' does not have a single direct equivalent in Japanese. Using チューター for a private home tutor may sound unnatural; 家庭教師 is preferred. Conversely, 家庭教師 is not used for university tutors.
家庭教師 (private tutor) visits a student's home or teaches one-on-one. 塾講師 (cram school teacher) teaches a group class at a juku (cram school). Do not confuse the two.
塾講師はクラス全体を教えるが、家庭教師は一人の生徒だけを教える。
A cram school teacher teaches the whole class, but a private tutor teaches only one student.