General term for a teacher, instructor, or master in an educational or training context.
He is a high school math teacher.
ピアノの先生に新しい曲を習った。
I learned a new piece from my piano teacher.
sensei; title of respect
Honorific title or form of address for teachers, doctors, lawyers, politicians, artists, and other respected professionals. Used both as a standalone noun and as a suffix attached to the person's name.
田中先生、質問があります。
Sensei Tanaka, I have a question.
弁護士の先生に相談した。
I consulted with my lawyer.
(teasing) sir; (joking) master
Familiar or jocular form of address, often used teasingly among friends or when playfully deferring to someone. Not used in formal situations.
おや、先生、今日は一段とご機嫌ですね。
Well, well, sir, you're in an especially good mood today.
one's elder
Archaic original meaning referring to an older person or one's elder. Not used in modern Japanese outside of historical contexts.
古典では「先生」が年長者を指すことがある。
In classical texts, 先生 can refer to an elder.
I am learning piano from a teacher.
Please ask the teacher about the parts you don't understand.
I forgot my homework and got scolded by the teacher.
Mr. Tanaka (the teacher) teaches English.
Since becoming a doctor, he's started being called 'sensei'.
先生 is a general, respectful term for any teacher or instructor, whereas チューター specifically denotes a private or supplementary tutor.
先生 is a general, everyday word for teacher or master of any kind, while 師範 is reserved for a highly skilled, often certified instructor in martial arts or traditional crafts.
先生 is a polite general term of address for teachers and professionals, while 教官 is a formal job title, not used to address someone directly.
先生 is a broad, respectful title for teachers and other professionals, while インストラクター names a specific job role focused on practical instruction.
先生 is used to address or refer to a doctor directly (like a title), while お医者さん is the general polite word for 'a doctor' as a profession.
先生 is the polite, everyday title used to address or refer to a teacher, while 教員 is the neutral, institutional term for the profession itself.
先生 usually means a teacher in an academic or professional setting, while 指導者 is broader and can describe any kind of guide or mentor outside a classroom.
fictitious person; imaginary person
teacher who took the job for lack of better options; unmotivated teacher
charismatic teacher; charming professor