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.
私の担任は田中先生です。
My homeroom teacher is Mr./Ms. Tanaka.
担任の先生に相談してください。
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.
担任の先生が家庭訪問に来ました。
The homeroom teacher came for a home visit.
Literally 'class homeroom teacher', used in more formal or administrative contexts to specify the class assignment.
クラス担任は学年の初めに発表されます。
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.
担任に怒られた。
I got scolded by my homeroom teacher.
担任が言ってたけど、明日は遠足だって。
My homeroom teacher said tomorrow is the field trip.
If it's obvious which teacher you mean, you can just say 先生. This is very common among students.
先生、宿題を忘れました。
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'.
3年1組の担任は誰ですか？
Who is the homeroom teacher for class 1, grade 3?
私は2年4組の担任です。
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.
田中先生、質問があります。
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.
担任の先生は英語の先生でもあります。
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...).