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sensei

What does sensei mean?

An honorific for a teacher, master of a discipline, physician or other respected expert. In manga circles it is also the standard respectful title for a mangaka.

"Toriyama-sensei changed shonen manga forever with Dragon Ball."

Origin

Japanese 先生 (sensei), literally 'born before', hence one who has more knowledge.

Frequently asked questions

What does sensei mean?
It's a Japanese honorific for a teacher, master of a discipline, physician or other respected expert. In manga circles it's also the standard respectful title for a mangaka (manga author).
How is sensei used with names?
It's attached after the name, as in 'Toriyama-sensei', to show respect for the person's expertise.
What does sensei literally mean?
The Japanese 先生 literally means 'born before', implying someone who has more knowledge or experience.
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Slang definitions: FreeDict original editorial.