老师
lǎoshī
The English term sensei refers to a teacher in a Japanese context. In Chinese, the equivalent term is 老师 (lǎoshī).
While sensei is specifically a Japanese word, if you are referring to a teacher or instructor in Chinese, you should use 老师.
Meaning: teacher in the context of Japan (noun)
Which one should you use?
The term sensei is Japanese, whereas 老师 is the standard Chinese term used to mean teacher.
How do you pronounce it?
lǎoshī
Did you know?
- While 老师 means teacher, the word 先生 (the characters used for the Japanese 'sensei') is used in modern Chinese to mean 'Mr.' or 'gentleman'.
- The character 老 (lǎo) means 'old', which can feel counterintuitive to English speakers, but in Chinese it functions as a marker of high respect and experience.
- In Chinese, you can use 老师 as a respectful title for people in any profession, such as journalists or artists, even if they have never taught a class.
Examples in context
- 我很喜欢我的数学老师。I really like my math teacher.
- 王师傅，您能教我一些木工技巧吗？Master Wang, can you teach me some woodworking techniques?
- 那位日本老师很有名。Nà wèi Rìběn lǎoshī hěn yǒumíng.That Japanese teacher is very famous.
- 我想成为一名日语老师。Wǒ xiǎng chéngwéi yī míng Rìyǔ lǎoshī.I want to become a Japanese teacher.
- 这位老师在教日语。Zhè wèi lǎoshī zài jiāo Rìyǔ.This teacher is teaching Japanese.
Example conversation
Wei and Yuting are talking about their Japanese language class.
- 伟 Wei雨婷，你喜欢那位老师吗？Yǔtíng, nǐ xǐhuān nà wèi lǎoshī ma?Yuting, do you like that teacher?
- 雨婷 Yuting是的，那位老师很有耐心。Shì de, nà wèi lǎoshī hěn yǒu nàixīn.Yes, that teacher is very patient.
- 伟 Wei我也觉得那位老师讲得很好。Wǒ yě juéde nà wèi lǎoshī jiǎng de hěn hǎo.I also think that teacher explains things very well.
- 雨婷 Yuting我们可以一起去问老师。Wǒmen kěyǐ yīqǐ qù wèn lǎoshī.We can go ask the teacher together.
