Shifu
/ˈʃiː.fuː/noun
A Chinese-derived English term for a teacher or master, especially in martial arts or traditional crafts.
Did you know?In Mandarin, 師傅 is also used for skilled workers such as drivers, mechanics, and cooks—not only martial-arts instructors.
Etymological Timeline
Old Chinese
Old Chinese
師
“Teacher, military commander, or master of a specialized discipline”
Old Chinese
Old Chinese
傅
“Tutor, instructor, or one who teaches”
Middle Chinese
Middle Chinese
師傅
“Teacher, instructor, or respected skilled professional”
Modern Mandarin
Mandarin
師傅 / 师傅 (shīfu)
“Teacher, master, or respectful address for a skilled worker”
20th Century
English
sifu / shifu
“An English loanword for a Chinese martial-arts teacher or master”
Modern English
English
shifu
“A teacher or master, especially in martial arts and popular culture”