師
Meanings
A respectful term for a teacher, master, or mentor, often used in traditional arts, crafts, or as a title.
He is my calligraphy teacher.
I follow my master's teachings.
Used for founders or leaders of religious sects, often as a suffix (e.g., 教祖, 法師).
The religious leader of that sect is respected by many followers.
Suffix attached to professions or roles to indicate a specialist (e.g., 医師, 技師, 教師).
He is a famous doctor.
He is a famous fortune-teller.
brigade of 2500 men (Zhou dynasty)
Historical military unit in ancient China; rarely encountered outside historical texts.
In the Zhou dynasty army, a 'shi' referred to a unit of 2500 soldiers.
Usage patterns
- 〈人〉を師と仰ぐto look up to someone as one's master or mentor
He studied painting, looking up to that painter as his mentor.
- 〈人〉を師として〈動詞〉to do something with someone as one's teacher/guide
She continues making pottery with a famous potter as her teacher.
Expressions· 7
- 陰陽師身の上知らずpeople don't know themselves as well as they know others; a fortune teller can't tell their own future
- 三人行けば必ず我が師有りyou can learn from anyone
- 三尺去って師の影を踏まずa student must never forget to honor their teacher
- 三尺下がって師の影を踏まずa student must never forget to honor their teacher
- 三歩下がって師の影を踏まずa student must never forget to honor their teacher
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- 窮鳥懐に入れば猟師も殺さずeven a hunter will not kill a bird that has come to him for shelter
- 窮鳥懐に入れば猟師もこれを殺さずeven a hunter won't kill a bird that seeks refuge in his bosom