grant · teach

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 授 has 11 strokes and the on-reading じゅ. 授ける (さずける) and 授かる (さずかる) distinguish giving from receiving.
• Basic usage: 授ける means granting an award or passing on a technique; 授かる means receiving something valued, such as an award or new life.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• The giver of an award or teaching and its recipient
  • 生徒に賞を授けた means presented an award to a student. 弟子に秘伝の技を授ける means passing a secret technique on to an apprentice.
  • 名誉ある賞を授かった means received an honorable award. 新しい命を授かった喜び describes the couple's joy at being blessed with a new life.