선생님 (seon-saeng-nim, seonsaengnim)
선생님 (seonsaengnim) is a respectful Korean term for a teacher or mentor.
Core meaning and shades learners miss.
선생님 refers respectfully to a person who teaches or guides students.
Nuances
When to use
school, academy, company training, daily conversation
In context
선생님 is used as an honorific title before or after a name, e.g., ‘김 선생님’. It appears in both casual and formal speech to show respect.
우리 학교 선생님은 정말 친절하세요.
u-ri hak-gyo seon-saeng-nim-eun jeong-mal chin-jeol-ha-se-yo., u ri hak gyo seon saeng nim eun jeong mal chin jeol ha se yo.
선생님 is naturally used as a respectful term for a teacher.
선생님, 이 문제를 어떻게 풀어요?
seon-saeng-nim, i mun-je-reul eo-tteoh-ge pul-eo-yo?, seon saeng nim, i mun je reul eo tteoh ge pul eo yo?
선생님 is used honorifically when addressing a teacher.
저는 선생님입니다.
jeo-neun seon-saeng-nim-ip-ni-da., jeo neun seon saeng nim ip ni da.
선생님 is used to modestly state one’s profession.
우리 선생님은 매우 엄격해요.
u-ri seon-saeng-nim-eun mae-u eom-gyeok-hae-yo., u ri seon saeng nim eun mae u eom gyeok hae yo.
선생님 is used respectfully when describing a teacher.
선생님, 저 좀 도와주세요!
seon-saeng-nim, jeo jom do-wa-ju-se-yo!, seon saeng nim, jeo jom do wa ju se yo!
선생님 is used honorifically when asking for help.
그는 선생님이라서 학생들에게 존경받아요.
geu-neun seon-saeng-nim-i-ra-seo hak-saeng-deul-e-ge jon-gyeong-bat-a-yo., geu neun seon saeng nim i ra seo hak saeng deul e ge jon gyeong bat a yo.
Expresses both profession and respect.
선생님이 누구세요?
seon-saeng-nim-i nu-gu-se-yo?, seon saeng nim i nu gu se yo?
Maintains honorific when asking about a teacher.
선생님, 오늘 수업은 몇 시에 끝나요?
seon-saeng-nim, o-neul su-eop-eun myeoch si-e kkeut-na-yo?, seon saeng nim, o neul su eop eun myeoch si e kkeut na yo?
Naturally uses 선생님 honorifically in class-related questions.
Who does 선생님 refer to?
What role does 선생님 play in ‘김 선생님’?
Which sentence uses 선생님 correctly? ‘선생님, 이거 주세요.’
