Difference Between Train and Educate

Train vs Educate

Train and Educate are two words that are often confused when it comes to their usage. Strictly speaking, there is some difference between the two words. The word ‘train’ is used as a verb in the sense of ‘instruct’. On the other hand, the word ‘educate’ is used in the sense of ‘inform’ or ‘teach’. This is the main difference between the two verbs.

In other words, it can be said that instruction forms the basis of the verb ‘train’, whereas teaching forms the basis of ‘educate’. Look at the two sentences given below,

1. Francis was trained in French language.

2. Angela trains her children in dance.

In both the sentences, the verb ‘train’ is used in the sense of ‘instruct’, and hence the first sentence can be rewritten as ‘Francis was instructed in French language’, and the meaning of the second sentence would be ‘Angela instructs her children in dance’.

Observe the two sentences,

1. Robert educates his neighbors about the growing problem of water shortage.

2. Lucy was educated and cultured.

In both the sentences, the verb ‘educate’ is used in the sense of ‘inform’ or ‘teach’, and hence the meaning of the first sentence would be ‘Robert informs his neighbors about the growing problem of water shortage’, and the meaning of the second sentence would be ‘Lucy was taught and cultured’.

It is interesting to note that the verb ‘educate’ has its noun form in the word ‘education’ as in the sentences,

1. He received his education in Paris.

2. Angela imparted education to her children.

In both the sentences, the word ‘education’ is used as noun. The verb ‘educate’ has its adjectival form in the word ‘educative’ as in the sentence ‘this was an educative problem’. On the other hand, the verb ‘train’ is primarily used as verb. It is used as a noun too in the form of ‘training’ as in the sentences,

1. Angela received her training in dance.

2. Robert conducts training sessions in Karate.

In both the sentences, the word ‘training’ is used as a noun. It is interesting to note that a person who gives or imparts training to a group of people is called a trainer. On the other hand, a person who teaches a group of people and educates them is called an educator. This is another important difference between the two verbs, namely, train and educate.

A person who undergoes training in training sessions is often called by the term ‘trainee’. On the other hand, a person who received education from a teacher is often referred to by the term ‘disciple’ or ‘student’.

Another important difference between the two words is that, training often involves repetition of exercises or methods. On the other hand, education need not involve repetition of exercises or methods. It is a continuous process. On the contrary training is not a continuous process. It has to end somewhere. Education does not end, but it continuous. These are the differences between the two words, namely, train and educate.