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老师
lǎoshī
teacher
她是一位很负责任的老师。
She is a very responsible teacher.
formal
A person who teaches, especially in a school.
我的老师教我们数学。
My teacher teaches us math.
这位老师对学生非常耐心。
This teacher is very patient with students.
Used for both school teachers and private tutors. In some contexts, it can also refer to a polite term for someone with expertise in a field (e.g., '老师' in martial arts).
Pro Tip
Polite Address
In Chinese, '老师' is often used as a respectful title when addressing teachers directly, even if they are younger than the speaker (e.g., '张老师' for Mr./Ms. Zhang).
Gold Rule
Respect for Teachers
Chinese culture traditionally emphasizes respect for teachers. Addressing someone as '老师' is a sign of deference and is widely accepted in educational settings.
Word Origin
Composed of '老' (old, respectful prefix) and '师' (master, expert), reflecting the traditional respect for teachers in Chinese culture.
Usage Notes
Commonly used in both spoken and written Chinese. Adding '们' (men) makes it plural: '老师们' (teachers). In some regions, '先生' (xiānsheng) is used as a polite address for male teachers, but '老师' is more universally applicable.
Word Breakdown
老
old, respectful prefix
prefix师
master, expert
root汉英词典