Perhaps you’ve seen some anime or Japanese drama shows and have heard the term “senpai” (先輩) more than a few times. Your friends who don’t even understand Japanese may also have heard of this word.
If you’ve seen it with subtitles, you have likely been able to understand the meaning. However, we’re here to clarify what it means and how you can use it.
What exactly do you mean by “senpai”? It can be described as “senior, superior, or elder” in its simplest form. This raises the issue of who is qualified as a senpai. What are the prerequisites to earn this title?
A senpai is someone with a superior place than you are in terms of ability and experience, age, or social standing. Senpais can also mean someone who attended a school or workplace before you.
Let’s take a look at some examples.
When it comes to Japanese school, both the words senpai and kouhai (後輩) are introduced first. The older students attend school sooner than younger students and are therefore automatically Senpais. In this situation, the age of the student doesn’t need to be a factor (although it is typical that the students more advanced than you may be in the same grades as you). If there’s someone the same as age you, however, who starts school earlier, they are still considered a Senpai.
In particular, during activities after school, The senpai-kouhai bond is strong because Senpais have to teach their kouhais. There’s also the workplace. Senpai isn’t just for schools. When working, the relationships between senpais and kouhais can differ somewhat. Instead of instructing the kouhais, they take on the responsibility of caring for those under their care. If you’re a senpai at work, you’re bound by an obligation to care for your Kouhai. In the company you work for, the senpai-kouhai relationship may be different.
Other companies, like part-time employment and those relying on mentorship partnerships like dojos, have similar senpai-kouhai relationships.
What is the best way to use the word “senpai”? In school, you typically place it at the last letter of the individual’s name. If the student in the class above you is known as Miyamura Izumi, then you can refer to him as “Izumi-senpai.” Occasionally, depending on the situation, you might even refer to them with their initials, such as “Miyamura-senpai.” This indicates the closeness of the relationship. However, typically it’s their last name.
At work, it’s standard to add “san” (san) instead of “senpai.” “San” acts more like “Mr.”, “Miss,” and “Mrs.” but it has the same effect the same way as “senpai.” Imagine that the same person is in a higher-ranking job than you do. You could refer to him as “Nami-san.” This will be more fitting than the previous method.
Or, you can refer to him as “senpai” on its own without a name associated with the title. It can be used in both work and school.
As with any other title, it’s essential to know how you have to act with someone who is a holder of the title. It’s not a good idea to go to the boss with a question like “Hey Man! How’s your day going” is it? If yes, you’re extremely lucky and have a cool boss.
Your Senpai, in other words, is someone who is more knowledgeable or skilled, more senior than you, or who will learn to train and take care of you. If it’s in school’s club activities or at work, Your Senpai is a wealth of knowledge and expertise they could transmit to you.
When speaking to your Senpai, you should try to use the proper or polite form. That includes “desu” (です) and “masu” (ます) forms.
When you use these forms, you’re demonstrating respect for your Senpai.
At least, for the first few months of the senpai-kouhai connection. In time, you may become extremely close to your Senpai, and it will become an increasingly “douryou” (同僚) relationship where you don’t speak formally. All boils down to the level of calm your Senpai. It is possible to have a senpai that strictly abides with hierarchical formality.
You now are aware of the person who is classified as a senpai and how to apply the term and behave with the Senpai do you plan to practice this with your bosses at your workplace or in school? I’m sure they’ll be honored to be your Senpai.
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FAQs
A senpai is someone with a superior place than you are in terms of ability and experience, age, or social standing. Senpais can also mean someone who attended a school or workplace before you.
How is senpai used in Japan? ›
Senpai and kōhai are Japanese terms used to describe an informal hierarchical interpersonal relationship found in organizations, associations, clubs, businesses, and schools in Japan and expressions of Japanese culture worldwide.
How to properly use senpai? ›
So, how do you use the term “senpai”? At school, you usually attach it to the end of the person's name. If the person in the grade above you is called Nakamura Kei, you can call him “Nakamura-senpai”. Sometimes, depending on the situation, you can also call them with their first name, like “Kei-senpai”.
What is the meaning of senpai? ›
senpai is an upperclassman who mentors an underclassman, or kohai. This term is used most often in English in reference to anime and manga and originates from Japanese 先輩, "earlier colleague". Used more broadly to mean "teacher" or "master."
What is an example of a senpai? ›
Senpai may be added to the end of someone's name or it may be used as a title all on its own. For example, if there were a character named Haru, he could be called either Haru-senpai or just senpai. A senpai is someone a kohai looks up to and aspires to be like. The kohai is an underclassman that a senpai teaches.
Can I call my crush Kun? ›
With a lover, it's basically whatever you want. Some people say -kun or -chan, some say -san, and some just use a plain name without a suffix, or a nickname. Some say "honey" or "darling", immitating English. There's no social rule for what you should call your lover, or even a close friend.
Does senpai mean my love? ›
In informal use, senpai (also styled as sempai) can refer to anyone whose attention you want to get—that could be someone you admire and want to be friends with or someone you're interested in romantically.
Can you use senpai to a girl? ›
As with "Sensei" is used interchangeably by sex, and does not necessarily follows the name. You might find it transcribed as “sempai”. Its opposite is “Kohai/kouhai” but it is rarely used when talking to someone.
Is senpai same as Daddy? ›
No, but my friend points out that anime nerds say “call me senpai” the same way other people might say “call me daddy.” Strictly speaking, a “senpai” is just someone who is older than you, someone who is in a higher grade than you at school, someone who's been at a job for longer than you etc.
Is it OK to call someone senpai? ›
Senpai (先輩、せんぱい, "former born") is used to address or refer to one's older or more senior colleagues and students in a school, workplace, dojo, or sports club. Teachers are not senpai, but rather they are sensei.
Senpai is not a sexual word. It is used in Japan if you are talking to a mentor, a teacher, a brand manager or a formal person except the families, friends and young ones.
Is senpai a man or woman? ›
Senpai is a term that means "upper classman" basically anyone that is older and or experienced in a field that you aren't. If you start a new job and you have a supervisor showing you the ropes, that's your Senpai. No, for all, who are senior to you. Male or female.
Why do Japanese add senpai to names? ›
Senpai and kōhai
Senpai (先輩、せんぱい, "former born") is used to address or refer to one's older or more senior colleagues and students in a school, workplace, dojo, or sports club. Teachers are not senpai, but rather they are sensei.
Why do anime girls say senpai? ›
Senpai made its first appearance in Urban Dictionary back in 2004, when a user defined it as "an upperclassman." Other entries (a number of which mention anime and manga) have since been added; it's defined there variously as "someone older than you," "someone you look up to," "mentor," "senior," an "older person who ...
Is senpai respectful? ›
The honorific senpai is used to refer to classmates in a higher grade than you or those who have been involved in a particular club or activity for longer. You can also use it when speaking with senior coworkers since senpai is not necessarily restricted by age.
Is senpai for both genders? ›
Is the Japanese word 'Senpai' for male only? - Quora. No, that word is a genderless one. No, senpai is for both genders. I went to an all girls school through elementary, middle, and high school and senpai was the most used word in school.
