sempai
One's experienced superior
Sempai is the Japanese term for a senior or mentor in a hierarchical relationship—an upperclassman, workplace superior, or anyone with more experience in a shared pursuit.
The junior counterpart is kohai.
In English, the word appears mainly in anime and manga contexts, often romanticized as an object of admiration: I hope sempai notices me.
Also spelled senpai, which more accurately reflects Japanese pronunciation.
Japanese unarmed combat discipline
- judoJapanese throwing discipline
- aikidoThrowing art using redirection
- kendoJapanese bamboo fencing
- dojoMartial arts school
kata · bushido · dan · judoka · martial arts · training · discipline · rank
Junior or senior student
- seniorHigher in rank
- juniorLower in standing
- elderSenior figure of authority
- veteranExperienced former soldier
predecessor · seniority · ranking · class · year · batch · graduate · underclassman
Yielding to another's judgment
- honorHigh regard, moral dignity
- reverenceProfound admiring respect
- admirationDeep respect felt
- esteemFavorable opinion of worth
acknowledgment · recognition · appreciation · courtesy · politeness · formality · honorific · protocol
Advice for decisions
- adviceGuidance on decisions
- teachingProfession of instructing others
- coachingGuiding others to improve
- trainingDeveloping abilities through practice
tutoring · instruction · wisdom · experience · nurturing · apprenticeship · discipleship · cultivation
One who directs workers
- team leadManager of collaborators
- onboardingNew member integration process
- officeProfessional work location
- companyCommercial enterprise or guests
corporate · coworker · department · promotion · career · professional · networking · industry
karate
Japanese unarmed combat discipline
dojo · kata · bushido · dan · judoka · martial arts · training · discipline · rank · belt
upperclassman
Junior or senior student
veteran · predecessor · seniority · ranking · class · year · batch · graduate · underclassman · alumni
deference
Yielding to another's judgment
- honorHigh regard, moral dignity
- reverenceProfound admiring respect
- admirationDeep respect felt
esteem · acknowledgment · recognition · appreciation · courtesy · politeness · formality · honorific · protocol · etiquette
guidance
Advice for decisions
- adviceGuidance on decisions
- teachingProfession of instructing others
- coachingGuiding others to improve
training · tutoring · instruction · wisdom · experience · nurturing · apprenticeship · discipleship · cultivation · development
supervisor
One who directs workers
- team leadManager of collaborators
- onboardingNew member integration process
- officeProfessional work location
company · corporate · coworker · department · promotion · career · professional · networking · industry
sempaijunior
Lower in standing
underclassman · newcomer · novice · freshman · apprentice