sensei

Where does the word "sensei" come from? It comes from Japanese sen + sei, and was adopted directly into English (1900s).

Sensei’s story begins in Japanese: sen + sei meant “one born earlier; a teacher.” Combining "sen" (before) and "sei" (born, life), literally "born before". It reached English by 1900s as sensei. Japanese 'born before', a teacher or elder. Today, sensei means a teacher or instructor, especially in Japanese martial arts.

1. Stage 1 · Japanese · medieval sen + sei "one born earlier; a teacher", combining "sen" (before) and "sei" (born, life), literally "born before".
2. Stage 2 · English · 1900s sensei "a teacher or master, especially of martial arts", Japanese 'born before', a teacher or elder.