先輩(せんぱい)

せんぱい
noun
senior, upperclassman
1. senior, upperclassman, senior colleague
Someone who has more experience in a group, school, or workplace.
先輩(せんぱい)に相談(そうだん)しました。
I consulted with my senior.
彼(かれ)は大学(だいがく)の先輩(せんぱい)です。
He's my senior from university.
先輩(せんぱい)が教(おし)えてくれた。
My senior taught me.
先輩(せんぱい)はとても親切(しんせつ)で、いつも助(たす)けてくれる。
My senior is very kind and always helps me.
会社(かいしゃ)の先輩(せんぱい)に仕事(しごと)のやり方(かた)を教(おし)えてもらって、とても勉強(べんきょう)になった。
My senior colleague taught me how to do the work, and I learned a lot.

先輩(せんぱい) refers to someone senior to you in age, experience, or position within a group, school, or workplace.

Cultural note

The 先輩(せんぱい)・後輩(こうはい) relationship is fundamental to Japanese social structure, especially in schools, clubs, and companies.

Usage

  • As a noun: 先輩(せんぱい)に聞(き)く (ask a senior)
  • As an address: 〇〇先輩(せんぱい) (Senior ~, used as a title)
  • With possessive: 大学(だいがく)の先輩(せんぱい) (university senior)

Common expressions

Related words

Related Words

Antonym: 後輩(こうはい) (junior)
Related: 目上(めうえ) (superior (by rank/age))
Related: 同期(どうき) (same year/cohort)
Related: 部下(ぶか) (subordinate, underling)
Compare: 古株(ふるかぶ) (old-timer)
Related: 目下(めした) (subordinate)
Compare: 先達(せんだつ) (pioneer)
Related: 兄貴分(あにきぶん) (someone like a big brother, senior figure)
Compare: 同窓(どうそう) (fellow alumnus)
Compare: 先人(せんじん) (predecessor)

Related Articles

Referring to People: Pronouns, Names, Titles, and Family Terms
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Added 2026.1.8 21:19 · Revised 2026.9.2 12:02
01000/01451_senpai