Meaning and Usage
"先生" (せんせい) primarily means "teacher" or "professor" and is used to refer to someone who teaches or has expertise in a subject. It is a respectful title often attached to a person's name, especially in educational or professional contexts.
Common Contexts
You will hear "先生" used in schools when students address their teachers, or when referring to professors at universities. It can also be used as a polite way to address doctors, lawyers, or other professionals, showing respect for their knowledge.
Collocations and Patterns
- 先生に聞く (せんせいにきく): to ask the teacher; used when seeking advice or answers.
- 先生と話す (せんせいとはなす): to talk with the teacher; common in classroom or consultation settings.
- 田中先生 (たなかせんせい): Mr./Ms. Tanaka, showing how "先生" follows a surname as a respectful title.
Register and Politeness
"先生" is polite and respectful. When addressing a teacher directly, it is common to use "先生" without adding "さん" because "先生" itself is an honorific.
Common Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse "先生" with "教師" (きょうし), which also means teacher but is used more formally or in job descriptions. "先生" is more commonly used in direct address or respectful reference.