선배
seonbae[sʰʌ̹nbɛ]
The Korean term for 'senpai' (an upperclassman or elder student) is 선배 (seonbae).
선배 is used to refer to an upperclassman or an elder student, in the context of Japan. The term 선배 is commonly used in workplaces, schools and other hierarchical settings.
Meaning: upperclassman or elder student, in the context of Japan (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
When using 선배 as a subject in a sentence, it often takes the subject particle –가 (-ga) or –이 (-i) depending on the final consonant.
How do you pronounce it?
seonbae
Did you know?
- In Korean culture, a 선배 is often expected to pay for meals or drinks when outing with their 후배, as part of the social obligation of being the senior.
- In Korean, you can be a 선배 to someone even if you are younger than them in age, as long as you have more experience in that specific field or organization.
- The word 선배 is a Sino-Korean term derived from the Chinese characters 先 ('prior') and 輩 ('group').
Examples in context
- 선배님, 안녕하세요?Hello, senior!
- 선배께서는 항상 저희에게 좋은 조언을 해주시네요.Our senior always gives us great advice.
- 선배가 엄청 멋져!Senpai is really awesome!
- 그는 학교 선배예요.geuneun hakgyo seonbae-yeyo.He is an upperclassman at school.
- 선배님, 안녕하세요.seonbaenim, annyeonghaseyo.Hello, senpai.
- 동아리 선배를 만났어요.dongari seonbaereul mannasseoyo.I met an upperclassman from the club.
Example conversation
Subin is asking Jihun for advice on a Japanese exchange program.
- 수빈 Su-bin지훈 선배, 일본 생활은 어땠어요?Jihun seonbae, ilbon saenghwareun eottaesseoyo?Jihun senpai, how was your life in Japan?
- 지훈 Ji-hun정말 재미있었어.jeongmal jaemiisseosseo.It was really fun.
- 수빈 Su-bin현지 선배들이 친절했나요?hyeonji seonbaedeuri chinjeolhaennayo?Were the local senpai kind?
- 지훈 Ji-hun응, 다들 잘 챙겨줬어.eung, dadeul jal chaenggyeojwosseo.Yes, everyone took good care of me.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 선배, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 선배, CC BY-SA 4.0.
