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How to say 'Senior' in Japanese | 先輩

Wondering how to say 'Senior' in Japanese? You're in the right place!

The Japanese word for Senior is 'Senpai', written as 先輩 in Japanese.'Senior' in hiragana is せんぱい.

    word

    先輩

    Meaning

    Senior

    Reading

    せんぱい

    senpai

    Kanji

    先Before, Previous 輩Fellow, Comrade

    Explanation

    The Japanese noun '先輩 (せんぱい)' refers to someone who is senior to you in age, experience, or status, particularly in school, work, or a group. It is commonly used to address or refer to someone who has been in an organization or field longer than you. For example: My senior at work is very kind「私の先輩はとても親切です」(わたしのせんぱいはとてもしんせつです). I respect my senior「私は先輩を尊敬しています」(わたしはせんぱいをそんけいしています). This term is deeply rooted in Japanese culture, emphasizing respect and hierarchy in relationships.

    Part Of Speech

    noun

    Kanji JLPT

    N1

    Kanji Grade

    7

    Frequency

    2581

    Composition

    kanji

    Handwriting

Kanji in the Word 先輩

This word contains 2 kanji characters:

  • kanji

    先

    Meaning

    Before, Previous

  • kanji

    輩

    Meaning

    Fellow, Comrade

Words Related to 先輩 Through the Kanji 先

These 20 Words contain the Kanji 先 as well.

  • word

    先

    Meaning

    Ahead, Tip

  • word

    先生

    Meaning

    Teacher

  • word

    先ず

    Meaning

    First

  • word

    先月

    Meaning

    Last month

  • word

    先週

    Meaning

    Last week

  • word

    先程

    Meaning

    Earlier

  • word

    先に

    Meaning

    Before

  • word

    優先

    Meaning

    Priority

  • word

    先日

    Meaning

    Recently

  • word

    最先端

    Meaning

    Cutting edge

  • word

    宛先

    Meaning

    Address

  • word

    先端

    Meaning

    Tip, Cutting edge

  • word

    先進

    Meaning

    Advancement

  • word

    先祖

    Meaning

    Ancestor

  • word

    先行

    Meaning

    Precedence

  • word

    先頭

    Meaning

    Front

  • word

    真っ先

    Meaning

    Forefront

  • word

    指先

    Meaning

    Fingertip

  • word

    勤め先

    Meaning

    Workplace

  • word

    祖先

    Meaning

    Ancestor

Words Related to 先輩 Through the Kanji 輩

This Word contains the Kanji 輩 as well.

  • word

    後輩

    Meaning

    Junior

Learn the Word 先輩

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What does 'Senpai' (先輩) mean?

'Senpai' means 'Senior' .

To help you master this word, here's an interactive lesson where you'll practice its readings and meanings.