Sensei
/ˈsɛn.seɪ/noun
A Japanese term of respect for a teacher, instructor, or other skilled mentor.
Did you know?The Japanese characters 先生 literally mean “born before,” framing teaching as the authority of someone who arrived earlier on the path of knowledge.
Etymological Timeline
Old Chinese, before 200 CE
Old Chinese
先生
“One born earlier; an elder or teacher”
Middle Chinese, c. 600–900 CE
Middle Chinese
先生 (sɨn-sræng)
“Teacher, gentleman, or respectful form of address”
Early Japanese, c. 700–900 CE
Japanese
先生 (sensei)
“Teacher or one who precedes others in learning”
Medieval–Early Modern Japan
Japanese
せんせい / 先生
“A respectful title for teachers, scholars, doctors, and other learned professionals”
20th Century
English
sensei
“A Japanese teacher or martial-arts instructor; later, a mentor or expert”