This site will be taken down March 31st, 2026.

This was not an easy decision to make. For the last couple years, I have been struggling to find motivation for this site and to keep up with basic maintenance and security updates. With the rise of AI and more sophisticated tools, the usefulness of sites like this is questionable and traffic has nose-dived. I just don't have it in me to keep doing this. Thank you all for 10 years of support!

Zach

先輩

Reading

Kana: せんぱい
Romaji: senpai
Kana
Romaji

Definition

1

senior (at work or school); superior; elder; older graduate; progenitor; old-timer

See also: 後輩 (reading こうはい)

Kanji

Readings: セン、 さき、 ま.ず
Meanings: before, ahead, previous, future, precedence
Readings: ハイ、 -ばら、 やから、 やかい、 ともがら
Meanings: comrade, fellow, people, companions

Example Sentences

(かれ)仕事(しごと)(うえ)では(わたし)先輩(せんぱい)だ。
➥He has more experience on the job than I.
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(かれ)らは先輩(せんぱい)昇進(しょうしん)おめでとうと()った。
➥They congratulated their 'sempai' on his promotion.
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(わたし)たちは(かれ)をよき先輩(せんぱい)として尊敬(そんけい)している。
➥We respect him as a good senior.
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彼女(かのじょ)先輩(せんぱい)()()して昇進(しょうしん)した。
➥She was promoted over the heads of her seniors.
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我々(われわれ)(かれ)をよき先輩(せんぱい)として尊敬(そんけい)している。
➥We look up to him as a good senior.
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部員(ぶいん)先輩(せんぱい)(いち)(にん)ずつブローチを(おく)ることにした。
➥The club members agreed to present the seniors with a brooch each.
Full Entry➤
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