英语老师
yīngyǔ lǎoshī
The Chinese phrase for "english teacher" is 英语老师 (yīngyǔ lǎoshī).
英语老师 refers to a person whose profession is teaching the English language.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 英语 (yīngyǔ), meaning "English language" and 老师 (lǎoshī), meaning "teacher".
Which one should you use?
While 英文 (yīngwén) can also mean "English" (often specifically referring to the written language), 英语老师 is the standard way to refer to the profession.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Using the measure word 位 (wèi) in phrases like 一位英语老师 makes the reference to the teacher more respectful than using the measure word 名 (míng).
How does it change in a sentence?
When specifying "one" English teacher, you should place a measure word between the number and the noun. For example, you can use 一名 (yī míng) or 一位 (yī wèi) to create 一名英语老师 or 一位英语老师.
How do you pronounce it?
yīngyǔ lǎoshī
Did you know?
- The word 老师 (lǎoshī) literally translates to 'old master' or 'old teacher', where 'old' denotes respect and experience rather than age.
- In Chinese culture, the term 老师 (lǎoshī) is often used as a respectful title for anyone with specialized knowledge, even if they are not a professional 英语老师.
- In a classroom setting, an 英语老师 might be referred to as a 外教 (wàijiào) if they are a native speaker from a foreign country.
Examples in context
- 我想当一名英语老师。I would like to be an English teacher.This sentence is useful for expressing the desire to become an 英语老师.Tatoeba #13890594 by jan_OkulaJu, translation #26333 by CN
- 我们新的英语老师刚从大学毕业。Our new English teacher is fresh from college.This sentence is useful for describing a new 英语老师.Tatoeba #10635229 by gumblex, translation #23384 by Swift
- 我想做英语老师。I want to be an English teacher.This sentence is useful for expressing the desire to be an 英语老师.Tatoeba #6055166 by verdakoro, translation #7794446 by sharris123
- 请问，您是英语老师吗？Excuse me, are you an English teacher?
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two students are talking about their new school schedule.
- 俊杰 Junjie你知道谁是我们的英语老师吗？Nǐ zhīdào shuí shì wǒmen de Yīngyǔ lǎoshī ma?Do you know who our English teacher is?
- 梓涵 Zihan听说是一位来自美国的英语老师。Tīngshuō shì yī wèi láizì Měiguó de Yīngyǔ lǎoshī.I heard it's an English teacher from America.
- 俊杰 Junjie那太好了，我们可以练习口语。Nà tài hǎo le, wǒmen kěyǐ liànxí kǒuyǔ.That's great, we can practice speaking.
- 梓涵 Zihan是的，我也很期待。Shì de, wǒ yě hěn qīdài.Yes, I'm looking forward to it too.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
