Sensei facts for kids

Sensei is a special word used in East Asian countries like Japan, Korea, Vietnam, and China. It's an "honorific term," which means it's a respectful title you use for someone. The word literally means "person born before another" or "one who comes before."

Usually, you put "Sensei" after someone's name, and it means "teacher." But it's also used for other important people or experts. For example, you might call a religious leader, an accountant, a lawyer, a doctor, or even a politician "Sensei." It's also used to show respect to someone who is really good at an art form or a skill, like a great writer, musician, artist, or martial artist.

What Does "Sensei" Mean?

The two parts of the word "Sensei" mean "born before." This suggests that a Sensei is someone who teaches because they have a lot of wisdom from their age and experience. They've been around longer and learned more!

Different Levels of Teachers

Sometimes, you might hear the word "dai-sensei" (大先生). "Dai" means "great" or "large." So, "dai-sensei" means "great teacher" or "grand master." This term is sometimes used for the most important Sensei in a specific school or tradition, especially in traditional Japanese systems.

For someone who is older and more experienced in a group but isn't quite a Sensei yet, the term "senpai" (先輩) is used. Notice that "senpai" also uses the character for "before." In martial arts, "senpai" often refers to the most senior member who isn't a Sensei.

"Sensei" in Other Languages

The Japanese word "Sensei" uses the same characters as the Chinese word xiānshēng (先生). In modern Chinese, xiānshēng is used like "Mr." in English.

However, in some parts of southern China, like where people speak Cantonese or Hokkien, xiānshēng still means "teacher" or "doctor." This is similar to how "Sensei" is used in Japanese, where it can be used for both men and women. It's thought that these uses are closer to how the word was used a long time ago. For example, in Singapore and Malaysia, people who speak Hokkien or Teochew often call school teachers "Sensei." Even Malay people in Singapore used to call Chinese doctors "Sensei."

Sensei in Buddhism

In some types of Zen Buddhism, "Sensei" is used for teachers who have been ordained but are not yet at the highest rank, which is called rōshi.

However, other Buddhist groups in Japan use "Sensei" for any priest, no matter how long they've been practicing. For example, in the United States, ministers of the Jōdo Shinshū Buddhist group are called "Sensei." In the Kwan Um School of Zen, the Korean title ji do poep sa nim is very similar to the Japanese title "Sensei."

In Nichiren Buddhism, members of the Soka Gakkai International group call their president, currently Daisaku Ikeda, "Sensei."

See also

• Japanese martial arts titles
• Chinese: shifu
• Sanskrit: guru
• Zen ranks and hierarchy
• Senpai
• Rōshi