Japanese dictionary
How to say "teacher" in Japanese
先生せんせい · sensei
"Teacher" in Japanese is 先生 (sensei). As an occupation, people say 教師 (kyōshi).
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Ways to say "teacher" in Japanese
| Japanese | When to use it |
|---|---|
| 先生せんせい · sensei | Teacher (also doctors, lawyers). |
| 教師きょうし · kyōshi | Teacher (occupation). |
| 教員きょういん · kyōin | Teacher; faculty member (formal). |
How to use it
先生 is also used for doctors, lawyers and politicians.
Don't call yourself 先生. Say 教師をしています (I work as a teacher).
Example sentences
- 先生、質問があります。Sensei, shitsumon ga arimasu.Teacher, I have a question.
- 父は高校の教師です。Chichi wa kōkō no kyōshi desu.My father is a high school teacher.
- 日本語の先生はとても親切です。Nihongo no sensei wa totemo shinsetsu desu.My Japanese teacher is very kind.
- 田中先生はいらっしゃいますか。Tanaka sensei wa irasshaimasu ka.Is Mr. Tanaka, the teacher, in?
- 教師になって十年です。Kyōshi ni natte jūnen desu.I've been a teacher for ten years.
- 先生に相談しました。Sensei ni sōdan shimashita.I talked to my teacher about it.
Kanji in this word
Questions
Who is called 先生 in Japan?
Teachers, doctors, lawyers, politicians and other experts are called 先生 (sensei).
Can you call yourself 先生?
No. Use 教師 (kyōshi) for your own job: 教師をしています.
Using Japanese at work?
See Executive JapaneseExecutive Japanese by CCN is one-on-one online Japanese for managers and directors doing business in Japan.