先輩
senpai[sẽ̞mpa̠i]
The English phrase "seniors" is translated into Japanese as 先輩 (senpai).
先輩 refers to someone who is more experienced or senior in a specific field or organization, such as a school, club or workplace. In Japanese social contexts, it is common to use 先輩 as a title or a direct way to address someone rather than simply using it as a noun to describe them.
Which one should you use?
先輩 is the direct counterpart to 後輩, which refers to a junior in a school or workplace.
How does it change in a sentence?
To explicitly indicate multiple seniors, you can add the pluralizing suffix -たち to the end of 先輩, forming 先輩たち.
How do you pronounce it?
senpai
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not assume that 先輩 only refers to age. It actually refers to someone who entered the same organization, such as a school, club or company, before you, regardless of their actual age.
Did you know?
- The social dynamic of 先輩 and 後輩 is so strong that it can dictate the physical etiquette of a room, such as who sits in the 'power seat' furthest from the door.
- The word 先輩 contains a hidden doublet in its history, related to the word ソンベ (sonbe), which is a different phonetic derivation of the same original characters.
- The term 先輩 can be used for people who are not even in your current organization, such as a former student of the same school who has already graduated.
Examples in context
- 高校時代に入ってたクラブは、先輩後輩の仲がとってもよかったよ。Clubs I entered in high school were super good for gaining familiarity with my juniors and seniors.This sentence is useful for describing the relationship between seniors and juniors in a high school club with the word 先輩.Tatoeba #9779190 by small_snow, translation #9980716 by tsp_2
- 在校生たちは、お世話になった先輩たちにきれいな花束を贈る計画を立てていた。Our current students have been planning on giving beautiful bouquets of flowers to seniors who have helped them.This sentence is useful for describing students giving flowers to seniors with the word 先輩.Tatoeba #8602049 by small_snow, translation #10124423 by tsp_2
- 仕事で困ったときは、いつも先輩に相談しています。Shigoto de komatta toki wa, itsumo senpai ni soudan shite imasu.When I have trouble at work, I always consult my seniors.
Example conversation
Two students are talking about their school life in a hallway.
- 陽太 Yota陽葵さんは、部活の先輩と仲がいいの？Himari-san wa, bukatsu no senpai to naka ga ii no?Himari, are you on good terms with your seniors in the club?
- 陽葵 Himariはい、とても優しくて尊敬できる先輩ばかりです。Hai, totemo yasashikute sonkei dekiru senpai bakari desu.Yes, they are all very kind seniors whom I can respect.
- 陽太 Yotaそれはよかったね。僕も先輩に教えてもらいたいな。Sore wa yokatta ne. Boku mo senpai ni oshiete moraitai na.That's great. I want my seniors to teach me things too.
- 陽葵 Himari陽太くんも、きっと仲良くなれるよ。Youta-kun mo, kitto nakayoku nareru yo.I'm sure you will be able to get along with them too, Youta.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 先輩, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 先輩, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
