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 SIGNIFICANCE:
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:

  • 先輩(せんぱい)に相談(そうだん)する: to consult with a senior
  • 先輩(せんぱい)から教(おそ)わる: to learn from a senior

RELATED:

  • 後輩(こうはい): junior (opposite)
  • 同期(どうき): same year/cohort

Related Words

Antonym: 後輩(こうはい) (junior)
core
Added 2026.1.8 21:19 · Revised 2026.4.2 14:09
01000/01451_senpai