sensei
nouncommon in dialogue
- //ˈsɛnseɪ//
A martial arts instructor; especially one for a Japanese martial art.
noun
- 1
A martial arts instructor; especially one for a Japanese martial art.
- 2
A Japanese (language) teacher (sometimes used as a suffix attached to the name of a teacher, principally in translations from Japanese).
- 3
A teacher, guide or mentor, in the context of Japan.
Etymology
Borrowed from Japanese 先生(せんせい) (sensei, “teacher; elder”), from Middle Chinese 先生 (MC sen sraeng, “master, elder”), from 先 (MC sen, “earlier, first”) + 生 (MC sraeng, “born”). Compare modern Mandarin 先生 (xiānshēng, “Mr.”). Doublet of sinseh, from Hokkien 先生 (sin-seⁿ).
Forms
- plural
- senseis
sensational · Of or pertaining to sensation.sense · Any of the manners by which living beings perceive the…sensed · Having a specified number or kind of senses.
sensei · A martial arts instructor; especially one for a Japanese martial art.
senseless · Without feeling or desire to work; deprived of sensation.sensible · Acting with or showing good sense; able to make good…sensing · The act of sensation.