sensei

Martial arts mentor

Sensei is Japanese for teacher or master, used as a title of respect for instructors in martial arts, and by extension, other skilled mentors.

In English, it appears most often in martial arts contexts: The sensei demonstrated the kata.

Outside the dojo, it sometimes applies playfully or reverently to any expert guide: Teach me your ways, sensei.

martial arts

dojo

Martial arts school

  • karateJapanese unarmed combat discipline
  • judoJapanese throwing discipline
  • aikidoThrowing art using redirection

taekwondo · black belt · kata · gi · dan · sparring · kumite · budo · kendo · hapkido

mentorship

master

Authority or controller

  • guideLeader or instruction book
  • mentorTrusted wisdom-giving advisor
  • sageWisdom keeper or seasoning

elder · guru · wisdom · disciple · apprentice · pupil · teaching · guidance · respect · tradition

honorific

san

Japanese respect suffix

  • sifuMartial arts master title
  • shifuChinese term for master
  • maestroDistinguished musical leader

master · teacher · professor

Categories
Opposites
teaching role

senseistudent

One formally enrolled somewhere

pupil · disciple · apprentice · learner · trainee

expertise level

senseibeginner

One who lacks experience

novice · neophyte · amateur · tyro · greenhorn

authority/hierarchy

senseijunior

Lower in standing

subordinate · underling · inferior · unranked

Phrases
Family

sensible, consensus, sensational, sensor, sensory, sensibility, sensitize, senseis

Familiarity
Top 200,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Positive · Everyday, not technical · Rated G