And even though people jokingly refer to Google as グーグル先生 because Google knows and teaches everything (or at least that's what it feels like), a 先生 usually teaches one specific thing. The Japanese dictionary 妙教国語辞典 defines 先生 as:Ī person who teaches academics, technique, practical art, etc.Īccording to this definition, a 先生 could teach almost anything that "etc." at the end makes it even more vague. Teachersįollowing is the primary definition and most common usage of 先生, both inside and outside Japan. There are exceptions, of course-some teachers or instructors aren't called 先生, even though they teach, and some people who don't teach are called 先生. Generally speaking, there are two kinds of people who are called 先生: teachers, and certain professionals. Traditionally, people in Japan are taught to pay respect to elders, and it's important to know the word 先生 feels respectful. These days 先生 doesn't necessarily mean someone older, but it still means someone who's experienced, skilled, and knowledgeable. Back in the day, living longer meant (and still implies) having more experience and knowledge. "A person born before you were." Many dictionaries suggest this is the original meaning of 先生, which makes sense when you look at the kanji. When learning a new Japanese word, it's always a good idea to look at its kanji: We strongly suggest you read the article and listen to the podcast episode for a deeper understanding of the word.Īnd if you like us, make sure to subscribe to the Tofugu podcast! What Does "Sensei" Mean? Certain Authors of Certain Articles Could Be Called 先生 Too…īefore you go any further: we also recorded a podcast about the word "sensei." We talked about our personal experiences of being called sensei as well as referring to others as sensei. ![]() Third-Person Pronoun: 先生 as "He/Her/They".Professionals with Specialized Knowledge.By the end, you'll be able to use the word better than everyone else in your Japanese/judo class! To give you a clearer picture of who a sensei really is, I'll teach you using actual examples. Thanks to the popularity of sports like judo and karate, 先生 (せんせい) is a Japanese word people all over the world use in place of "teacher." If you take Japanese classes at a school or online, you probably call your teacher "sensei" there too.īut the word "sensei" is much more than simply a synonym for "teacher"-otherwise I'd stop writing this article right now! Besides your judo master Sensei Jeff and your Japanese instructor Yoshida-sensei, there are other people who deserve the title sensei.
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