What Does Senpai Mean? – Se (せ) – 先輩 (Senpai)

Why Did The Term Senpai Become So Popular Outside Of Japan?

Most people who have not stepped foot in Japan let alone studied Japanese, are well aware of the word Senpai/Sempai (先輩). You have probably seen variations of “I hope senpai will notice me” across the internet. This line doesn’t come from any specific anime or manga; rather, it was picked up by users on social media or fan blogs to play on tropes of romance between senpai and kohai (後輩).

Image from Make Better Memes!

So, this internet trend shows that many non-Japanese speakers understand that senpai means superior or senior. However, the internet meme also implies that a kohai has a romantic infatuation for their sempai. Due to them seeming more experienced and mature, a power asymmetry is created that the kohai must overcome, driving them to ask or hope for the senpai’s attention. This type of Senpai/Kohai dynamic is popular in certain Japanese anime and pop culture.

I would argue that similar tropes are popular in other nations, such as the United States, since crushing on someone who is a grade level above is not uncommon. But, equivalent terms like senior or superior are not common in English, especially as a way to address someone. This is likely why the word, Senpai, caught on since it’s much more frequent, and you could actually call someone Sempai. However, the term is not inherently romantic.

What Is The True Meaning of Senpai and Kohai?

Senpai (先輩)

The word has a bit of nuance since it’s used in different social contexts. But breaking down 先輩, 先(sen) means before, prior, or former. Thus, the word mainly refers to someone who is:

1. Older, more experienced, in a higher social position, etc., regardless of age.
2. Have entered the same school or workplace earlier (and there is a culture of approaching them with polite manners and speech).

Daisenpai (大先輩)

Daisenpai is used for those who are much older, have a lot more experience, or are significantly more senior. It is sometimes used to describe someone who is an alumni of your school or university. This term is not as common, and you never use it in the 2nd person, unlike sempai.

Kohai (後輩)

後(ko) in the word 後輩, kohai, means ‘after’. Thus, the word refers to those ‘who come after’ the senpai in any given situation. The word refers to the following:

1. People who are younger, less experienced, or in a lower social position in relation to the senpai.
2. It is not really used to address someone but rather as a way of describing someone, for example, 「たけしは私の後輩です。」“Takeshi is my kohai.”

When Is The Word Senpai Used In Japan?

School Environment

Generally speaking, senpai is not used until junior high school to address classmates who are in higher grade levels. Oftentimes, there is a senpai/kohai tension where the kohai must maintain optics of their senpai and be on their best behavior whenever they are around. This is mostly the case for both junior high and high schools, but the relationship is at its strictest in club activities.

Bukatsu (部活)

In Bukatsu or school extracurricular clubs/circles, such as baseball, basketball, soccer, Kendo, and so on, the hierarchical relationship between kohai and senpai can be at its most rigid. Ordinarily, members who have joined earlier are considered senpai, regardless of skill level. Kohai must give their utmost respect and may even need to address them as Senpai, either alone or with their last name, like “Yoshida-senpai,” for instance.

Certain clubs may have stricter customs regarding activities kohai must do for the club and their senpais, such as having to clean before and after club activities. It is also customary for kohai to use 敬語(keigo) with their sempai.

Work Environment

Once you become a working adult, senpai takes on a role more about looking after their juniors, and the relationship isn’t as rigid as it was for students. When called “senpai,” many people feel a sense of responsibility to raise and look after their kohai.

However, it is possible for 2 people working at the same company to both consider each other as senpai. In many cases, this is because one started working at the company first, while the other is older in age. But age is less of a factor in who is a senpai in this day and age.

Traditionally, Japanese employees stay in one company their whole career. So, when you join as a 新卒 (shinsotsu), or newly graduated hire, you would be the youngest in the company. Promotions were given the longer you stay rather than for individual accomplishments. As a result, senpai’s were almost always older and stayed in the company longer. But, as work attitudes change, the age and social dynamics reshape as well. Now it’s not uncommon for younger but more experienced employees to be working at the same company as someone who is older.

In the current work culture, experience in the company or industry is what determines a senpai rather than age. Unlike school, you also don’t often address someone as sempai; it’s more common to use it when speaking about them to someone else. Overall, companies are getting even more relaxed about hierarchies and are even adopting flatter structures. So, in more and more companies in Japan, the necessity of who is your senpai is less of a concern.

Other Circumstances

Senpai and kohai relationships do exist outside of work or school since the word can describe anyone who is more senior in virtually any field. Certain activities, such as martial arts, may require you to be aware of who your sempai is. Most Japanese martial arts use a belt ranking structure. This creates a very easy-to-understand system where the person whose belt is higher would be your sempai. Within the higher ranks, the concept of senpai/kohai is not too important, but you should respect those with more experience.

You wouldn’t ever need to call someone sempai but you would treat them with higher regard by using more respectful language and listening diligently to their advice. Like work, the concept of senpai is not so rigid and their role is more about guiding their less experienced kohai.

Illustration of the relationships between Boss, Senpai, and Kōhai

How to Use the Term “Senpai” in Japanese

Calling Someone “Senpai”

As mentioned, there are two ways to call somebody “senpai.” The first is to attach the person’s name before 「先輩」 “senpai,” as with 「吉田先輩」 “Yoshida-sempai.” For working adults, it’s also common to attach “san” after someone’s name, as with 「吉田さん」 “Yoshida-san.”

The second way is to directly refer to someone as “sempai” without attaching their name. What’s important to pay attention to is not just what you call someone but also expressing respect toward them.

There isn’t a need to use honorific language, but it’s wise to at least use polite forms such as 「です」 “desu” and 「ます」 “masu.” If you do so, your senpai will be happy to teach you about the job.

Read here to learn how to use San, Sama, Kun etc.

However, there are some people whose relationship with their seniors is more so as “coworkers,” even if they call them “sempai” as a hierarchical formality. When compared with the boss, it’s a much closer relationship. Sempai might be seen as warm and encouraging, especially when your boss is giving you a hard time.

Describing Someone as Senpai or Kohai

Most of the time, sempai is used to describe who someone is in relation to you. Such as saying: 

1. 山本さんは仕事の先輩で、はるとは後輩です。“Yamamoto-san is my senpai from work, and Haruto is my kohai” 
2. チームの中には2人の先輩がいます。“My team has 2 senpais”

In Japanese, the word is pretty flexible (outside of school); you can use it as a descriptor for anyone who has more experience in any field. You can also refer to someone as sempai who has more industry experience 「マーケティング業界の先輩」“marketing industry senpai” even if you have been in the same company longer.

Final Thoughts – Do Japanese Use “Senpai” Often Anymore?

As a rigid term strictly used whenever you’re speaking or referring to someone who is senior to you, it is not common at all. However, more flexible and casual usage of the word is very common. You would often say it when you like to express respect to someone who has more experience than you. You could say, 「先輩なので、はやてさんから学びたいです。」” I would like to learn from you, Hayate, because you are my sempai”.

When it comes to work colleagues, though it could depend on the company, most people view each other as fellow coworkers, and maintaining a rigid senpai/kohai relationship is rarely observed. Even referring to other colleagues as sempai in the 3rd person is becoming less common. It is still a useful term and can be an easy and respectful way to describe people who have more experience than you.

FAQ

What is the meaning of Senpai?

Senpai means senior or superior. It refers to someone who could be older, more experienced, or in a higher social position.

Does Senpai mean dad, father, or father figure?

No, senpai does not mean father nor imply any type of father figure dynamic. It does not inherently carry additional connotation beyond just senior or upperclassmen.

Can I call a girl Senpai? Is there a female version of senpai?

Yes, you can call or refer to females as senpai. The term is not gendered.

Is it Senpai or Sensei?

Senpai is not the same as sensei. Sensei means “teacher,” while senpai means “senior”. In a school setting, senpai would be upperclassmen. In the workplace, they are colleagues who joined before you.

Is Senpai respectful?

Yes, the term is considered respectful and is used to express or acknowledge someone is older or more experienced. You often speak to someone who is your senpai with more respectful language in Japanese.

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