Translation guide
In Japanese schools, the homeroom teacher plays a central role in student life, overseeing a specific class for multiple years. The most common term is 担任 (tannin), often combined with 先生 (sensei).
The teacher responsible for a particular class, handling administrative duties, guidance, and communication with parents.
The standard word for homeroom teacher. Often used with 先生 (sensei) as 担任の先生 (tannin no sensei) or simply 担任 (tannin) in context.
My homeroom teacher is Mr./Ms. Tanaka.
Please consult your homeroom teacher.
A polite and explicit way to say homeroom teacher, literally 'the teacher in charge'. Safe to use in any situation.
The homeroom teacher came for a home visit.
Literally 'class homeroom teacher', used in more formal or administrative contexts to specify the class assignment.
The class homeroom teacher is announced at the beginning of the school year.
When a student talks about their own homeroom teacher, they often use 担任 without 先生, or simply 先生 if the context is clear.
Students commonly say 担任が〜 (my homeroom teacher...) in casual conversation. Adding 先生 is more polite.
I got scolded by my homeroom teacher.
If it's obvious which teacher you mean, you can just say 先生. This is very common among students.
Teacher, I forgot my homework.
To specify which grade or class the homeroom teacher is in charge of, use the pattern [grade/class] + の + 担任.
Attach の担任 to the class name. For example, 1年2組の担任 (ichinen nikumi no tannin) means 'the homeroom teacher of class 2, grade 1'.
Who is the homeroom teacher for class 1, grade 3?
I am the homeroom teacher for class 4, grade 2.
When addressing a homeroom teacher directly or referring to them formally, use 先生 with their name.
Always address a teacher as [Last Name]先生. Never use 担任 as a title.
Do not call a teacher 担任 directly. 担任 is a role, not a title.
Mr./Ms. Tanaka, I have a question.
担任 (tannin) refers specifically to the homeroom teacher role. 先生 (sensei) is a general title for any teacher. You can say 担任の先生 to mean 'the teacher who is the homeroom teacher'. Students often shorten it to just 担任 when talking among themselves.
My homeroom teacher is also my English teacher.
When speaking to someone outside your school, you might say 担任の先生 to be clear. Within school, 担任 is enough. If you are a teacher talking about yourself, you can say 私は〜の担任です (I am the homeroom teacher of...).
My homeroom teacher said tomorrow is the field trip.