先輩 and 先生 describe different relationships and can also be used to address someone directly.
The idea
先輩 is someone senior to you in a shared school, club or workplace, often because they joined earlier. 先生 addresses teachers and some other professionals, such as doctors. Both can stand alone or follow a surname.
| Relationship | Address |
|---|---|
| 学校の先生 | 田中先生 |
| クラブの先輩 | 山田先輩 |
Examples
- 田中先生、おはようございます。Good morning, Teacher Tanaka.
- 先生、質問があります。Teacher, I have a question.
- 田中先生に教えてもらいました。Teacher Tanaka taught me.
- 山田先輩、おはようございます。Good morning, senior Yamada.
- 先輩に聞いてみます。I will ask my senior.
- 先輩、ありがとうございます。Thank you, senior.
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Watch out
Seniority in a group is not simply age. Do not normally add さん after 先生 in a direct address; the title itself serves that role. Practices vary between settings.
Try it yourself
学校であなたに教える人を呼びます。（先生／先輩）
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先生
先生 addresses the person who teaches you in this situation.
同じクラブに先に入った人を呼びます。（先生／先輩）
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先輩
先輩 describes someone who entered the same club before you.
田中さんという先生を直接呼びます。（田中先生／田中先生さん）
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田中先生
田中先生 already has the title 先生; adding さん after it is not the usual direct address.
Practice round
Answer questions, then rebuild Japanese sentences where available. We keep your score.
学校であなたに教える人を呼びます。（先生／先輩）
同じクラブに先に入った人を呼びます。（先生／先輩）
田中さんという先生を直接呼びます。（田中先生／田中先生さん）
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Think of a teacher and a senior club member. Greet each using their surname plus the appropriate title, then try the title alone.