Difference between revisions of "Sensei"
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− | Sensei (先生) is a Japanese word that is literally translated as "person born before another". In general usage, it means "master" or "teacher", and the word is used as a title to refer to or address teachers, professors, professionals such as lawyers, CPA and doctors, politicians, clergymen, and other figures of authority. The word is also used to show respect to someone who has achieved a certain level of mastery in an art form or some other skill: accomplished puppeteers, novelists, musicians, and artists for example are addressed in this way. | + | [[Sensei]] (先生) is a [[Japanese]] [[word]] that is literally translated as "[[person]] born before another". In {{Wiki|general}} usage, it means "[[master]]" or "[[teacher]]", and the [[word]] is used as a title to refer to or address [[teachers]], professors, professionals such as lawyers, CPA and [[doctors]], politicians, clergymen, and other figures of authority. The [[word]] is also used to show [[respect]] to someone who has achieved a certain level of [[mastery]] in an [[art]] [[form]] or some other skill: accomplished puppeteers, novelists, musicians, and {{Wiki|artists}} for example are addressed in this way. |
[[File:O'Sensei_22.jpg|thumb|250px|O'Sensei(Great Teacher) [[Morihei Ueshiba]]]] | [[File:O'Sensei_22.jpg|thumb|250px|O'Sensei(Great Teacher) [[Morihei Ueshiba]]]] | ||
− | == Etymology == | + | == {{Wiki|Etymology}} == |
− | The two characters that make up the term can be directly translated as "born before" and implies one who teaches based on wisdom from age and experience. | + | The two characters that make up the term can be directly translated as "born before" and implies one who teaches based on [[wisdom]] from age and [[experience]]. |
− | The word prefaced by the adjective 大, pronounced "dai" (or "ō"), which means "great" or "large", is often translated "grand master". This compound term, "dai-sensei", is sometimes used to refer to the top sensei in a particular school or tradition, particularly within the iemoto system. For a more senior member of a group who has not achieved the level of sensei, the term senpai (先輩) is used – note the common use of 先 "before"; in martial arts, this is particularly used for the most senior non-sensei member. | + | The [[word]] prefaced by the adjective 大, pronounced "dai" (or "ō"), which means "great" or "large", is often translated "grand [[master]]". This compound term, "dai-sensei", is sometimes used to refer to the top [[sensei]] in a particular school or [[tradition]], particularly within the iemoto system. For a more {{Wiki|senior}} member of a group who has not achieved the level of [[sensei]], the term senpai (先輩) is used – note the common use of 先 "before"; in {{Wiki|martial arts}}, this is particularly used for the most {{Wiki|senior}} non-sensei member. |
− | The Japanese expression of 'sensei' shares the same characters as the Chinese word 先生, pronounced xiānshēng in Standard Chinese. Xiansheng is a courtesy title for a man of respected stature,but was pronounced SenSeng in Middle Chinese.It can also be attached to a man's name to mean "gentleman" or, more commonly, "mister". Prior to the development of the modern vernacular, xiansheng was used to address teachers of both genders; this has fallen out of usage in Standard Chinese, though it is retained in some southern Chinese dialects such as Cantonese, Hokkien and Hakka where it still has the meaning "teacher" or "doctor". In Japanese, sensei is still used to address people of both genders. It is likely both the current Southern Chinese and Japanese usages are more reflective of its Middle Chinese etymology. | + | The [[Japanese]] expression of '[[sensei]]' shares the same characters as the {{Wiki|Chinese}} [[word]] 先生, pronounced xiānshēng in Standard {{Wiki|Chinese}}. Xiansheng is a [[courtesy]] title for a man of respected stature,but was pronounced SenSeng in Middle Chinese.It can also be [[attached]] to a man's [[name]] to mean "gentleman" or, more commonly, "mister". Prior to the development of the {{Wiki|modern}} vernacular, xiansheng was used to address [[teachers]] of both {{Wiki|genders}}; this has fallen out of usage in Standard {{Wiki|Chinese}}, though it is retained in some southern {{Wiki|Chinese}} {{Wiki|dialects}} such as Cantonese, [[Hokkien]] and Hakka where it still has the meaning "[[teacher]]" or "doctor". In [[Japanese]], [[sensei]] is still used to address [[people]] of both {{Wiki|genders}}. It is likely both the current Southern {{Wiki|Chinese}} and [[Japanese]] usages are more reflective of its Middle {{Wiki|Chinese}} {{Wiki|etymology}}. |
− | == Use in Buddhism == | + | == Use in [[Buddhism]] == |
− | In [[Sanbo Kyodan]] related [[zen]] schools, ''sensei'' is used to refer to ordained teachers below the rank of [[rōshi]]. However, other schools of [[Japanese Buddhism]] use the term for any priest regardless of seniority; for example, this title is also used for [[Jōdo Shinshū]] ministers in the United States, whether they are ethnic Japanese or not. In the [[Kwan Um School of Zen]], according to [[Zen master]] [[Seung Sahn]], the title Ji Do Poep Sa Nim is much like the Japanese title "sensei". In [[Nichiren Buddhism]], ''sensei'' refers to the highest figure of authority in the organization. In [[Soka Gakkai International]] (SGI), an offshoot of [[Nichiren Shōshū]], ''sensei'' is used to refer to President [[Daisaku Ikeda]]. | + | In [[Sanbo Kyodan]] related [[zen]] schools, ''[[sensei]]'' is used to refer to [[ordained]] [[teachers]] below the rank of [[rōshi]]. However, other schools of [[Japanese Buddhism]] use the term for any priest regardless of seniority; for example, this title is also used for [[Jōdo Shinshū]] ministers in the [[United States]], whether they are {{Wiki|ethnic}} [[Japanese]] or not. In the [[Kwan Um School of Zen]], according to [[Zen master]] [[Seung Sahn]], the title Ji Do Poep Sa Nim is much like the [[Japanese]] title "[[sensei]]". In [[Nichiren Buddhism]], ''[[sensei]]'' refers to the [[highest]] figure of authority in the organization. In [[Soka Gakkai International]] ([[SGI]]), an offshoot of [[Nichiren Shōshū]], ''[[sensei]]'' is used to refer to President [[Daisaku Ikeda]]. |
== Usage with negative connotations == | == Usage with negative connotations == | ||
− | Sensei can also be used with negative connotations. Sometimes enthusiastic supporters and admirers use it fawningly, as when addressing or talking about charismatic business, political, and spiritual leaders. Japanese speakers are particularly sensitive to this usage when it concerns members of an in-group who spontaneously associate or identify sensei with a particular person—many if not most Japanese speakers readily see this usage as indicative of adherents speaking of a charismatic spiritual or cult leader. When talking about such situations, Japanese speakers will sometimes use the term sarcastically to ridicule overblown adulation, and the Japanese media frequently invoke it to highlight the megalomania of those who allow themselves to be addressed in this manner. In speech, a sarcastic sensei is intoned for emphasis, whereas in print it is rendered in katakana, akin to scare quotes or italics in English. | + | [[Sensei]] can also be used with negative connotations. Sometimes {{Wiki|enthusiastic}} supporters and admirers use it fawningly, as when addressing or talking about {{Wiki|charismatic}} business, {{Wiki|political}}, and [[spiritual]] leaders. [[Japanese]] speakers are particularly sensitive to this usage when it concerns members of an in-group who spontaneously associate or identify [[sensei]] with a particular person—many if not most [[Japanese]] speakers readily see this usage as indicative of {{Wiki|adherents}} speaking of a {{Wiki|charismatic}} [[spiritual]] or {{Wiki|cult}} leader. When talking about such situations, [[Japanese]] speakers will sometimes use the term sarcastically to ridicule overblown adulation, and the [[Japanese]] media frequently invoke it to highlight the megalomania of those who allow themselves to be addressed in this [[manner]]. In [[speech]], a sarcastic [[sensei]] is intoned for emphasis, whereas in print it is rendered in katakana, akin to scare quotes or italics in {{Wiki|English}}. |
{{W}} | {{W}} |
Revision as of 11:54, 24 September 2013
Sensei (先生) is a Japanese word that is literally translated as "person born before another". In general usage, it means "master" or "teacher", and the word is used as a title to refer to or address teachers, professors, professionals such as lawyers, CPA and doctors, politicians, clergymen, and other figures of authority. The word is also used to show respect to someone who has achieved a certain level of mastery in an art form or some other skill: accomplished puppeteers, novelists, musicians, and artists for example are addressed in this way.
![](/en/images/thumb/2/21/O%27Sensei_22.jpg/250px-O%27Sensei_22.jpg)
Etymology
The two characters that make up the term can be directly translated as "born before" and implies one who teaches based on wisdom from age and experience.
The word prefaced by the adjective 大, pronounced "dai" (or "ō"), which means "great" or "large", is often translated "grand master". This compound term, "dai-sensei", is sometimes used to refer to the top sensei in a particular school or tradition, particularly within the iemoto system. For a more senior member of a group who has not achieved the level of sensei, the term senpai (先輩) is used – note the common use of 先 "before"; in martial arts, this is particularly used for the most senior non-sensei member.
The Japanese expression of 'sensei' shares the same characters as the Chinese word 先生, pronounced xiānshēng in Standard Chinese. Xiansheng is a courtesy title for a man of respected stature,but was pronounced SenSeng in Middle Chinese.It can also be attached to a man's name to mean "gentleman" or, more commonly, "mister". Prior to the development of the modern vernacular, xiansheng was used to address teachers of both genders; this has fallen out of usage in Standard Chinese, though it is retained in some southern Chinese dialects such as Cantonese, Hokkien and Hakka where it still has the meaning "teacher" or "doctor". In Japanese, sensei is still used to address people of both genders. It is likely both the current Southern Chinese and Japanese usages are more reflective of its Middle Chinese etymology.
Use in Buddhism
In Sanbo Kyodan related zen schools, sensei is used to refer to ordained teachers below the rank of rōshi. However, other schools of Japanese Buddhism use the term for any priest regardless of seniority; for example, this title is also used for Jōdo Shinshū ministers in the United States, whether they are ethnic Japanese or not. In the Kwan Um School of Zen, according to Zen master Seung Sahn, the title Ji Do Poep Sa Nim is much like the Japanese title "sensei". In Nichiren Buddhism, sensei refers to the highest figure of authority in the organization. In Soka Gakkai International (SGI), an offshoot of Nichiren Shōshū, sensei is used to refer to President Daisaku Ikeda.
Usage with negative connotations
Sensei can also be used with negative connotations. Sometimes enthusiastic supporters and admirers use it fawningly, as when addressing or talking about charismatic business, political, and spiritual leaders. Japanese speakers are particularly sensitive to this usage when it concerns members of an in-group who spontaneously associate or identify sensei with a particular person—many if not most Japanese speakers readily see this usage as indicative of adherents speaking of a charismatic spiritual or cult leader. When talking about such situations, Japanese speakers will sometimes use the term sarcastically to ridicule overblown adulation, and the Japanese media frequently invoke it to highlight the megalomania of those who allow themselves to be addressed in this manner. In speech, a sarcastic sensei is intoned for emphasis, whereas in print it is rendered in katakana, akin to scare quotes or italics in English.