先生
xiānsheng
The English phrase 'sir' is translated into Chinese as 先生 (xiānsheng).
先生 is used to address any male, especially if his name or proper address is unknown. In certain contexts, it can also be used to mean 'husband'.
Meaning: address to any male, especially if his name or proper address is unknown (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term 先生 is composed of 先, meaning 'first' or 'previous' and 生, meaning 'birth' or 'life'.
Which one should you use?
While 先生 is used to address a man, 女士 is the equivalent formal term used to address a woman.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Using 先生 as a standalone address is formal and polite. It is often used by service staff or in professional settings to address a male customer or stranger. It is a respectful way to say 'sir' to strangers, teachers or officials.
How does it change in a sentence?
When used as a title equivalent to 'Mr.', 先生 is placed after the person's surname, such as 王先生 (Wáng xiānsheng) for Mr. Wang.
How do you pronounce it?
xiānsheng
Did you know?
- The term 先生 appears in the 詩經, the oldest existing collection of Chinese poetry, dating back nearly three millennia.
- Although 先生 means 'sir', it is rarely used by itself in casual conversation between friends, as it would sound overly stiff or even sarcastic.
- If you use 先生 in a very old-fashioned or literary way, it can mean 'a teacher' or 'a master' of a specific craft, rather than just a polite 'sir'.
Examples in context
- 先生，我們可以檢查一下您的行李嗎？Sir, can we quickly inspect your luggage please?This sentence is useful for practicing a polite inquiry using 先生.Tatoeba #1205926 by cienias, translation #1230605 by alec
- 先生，请别生我的气！我是新来的工人！Please don't get mad, sir! I'm a new worker!This sentence is useful for expressing an apology or explanation to someone using 先生.Tatoeba #425109 by GlossaMatik, translation #425108 by FeuDRenais
- 谢谢您，先生。Thank you, sir.This sentence is useful for practicing a polite expression of gratitude using 先生.Tatoeba #710691 by Ayalche, translation #710692 by CM
- 李先生Mr. Li
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A shop assistant greets a male customer entering the store.
- 浩然 Haoran先生，请问您需要什么帮助吗？Xiānshēng, qǐngwèn nín xūyào shénme bāngzhù ma?Sir, may I help you with something?
- 梓涵 Zihan我想看看新款的衬衫。Wǒ xiǎng kànkan xīnkuǎn de chènshān.I would like to see the new shirts.
- 浩然 Haoran好的，先生，请跟我来这边。Hǎo de, xiānshēng, qǐng gēn wǒ lái zhèbiān.Alright, sir, please follow me this way.
- 梓涵 Zihan太谢谢你了。Tài xièxiè nǐ le.Thank you very much.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sir” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 先生, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
