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.
She is tutored in English twice a week.
Literally 'teacher for individual instruction'. A more descriptive phrase, often used in ads or formal contexts.
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.
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.
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.
Abbreviation for Teaching Assistant. Used in universities for students who assist professors with classes, grading, or lab sessions. Overlaps with 'tutor' in some contexts.
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.
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.
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.
I used to tutor when I was a university student.
Means 'to give individual instruction'. Slightly more formal, used in educational contexts.
A general phrase meaning 'to teach (someone) studies'. Can be used for informal tutoring situations.
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.
A cram school teacher teaches the whole class, but a private tutor teaches only one student.
I asked my tutor to proofread my thesis.
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.
He tutors students after school.
I tutor my younger sister in math on weekends.