What it means
선생님 primarily means teacher but is also used as a respectful form of address for doctors, lawyers, and other professionals. 님 is an honorific suffix showing respect.
Nuance & when to use
선생님 = teacher (in school context) OR respectful address for any expert. 한국어 선생님 = Korean teacher. 의사 선생님 = doctor (lit: doctor + honorific). In Korean culture, teachers are highly respected. The use of 선생님 for non-teachers shows extension of that respect.
⚠ Common mistake
Don't use 선생님 for peers or those younger than you — it implies they're older/higher status. For classmates or friends, just use their name + 씨 or -아/야.
Example sentences
See also
FAQ
When is this used?
선생님 = teacher (in school context) OR respectful address for any expert. 한국어 선생님 = Korean teacher. 의사 선생님 = doctor (lit: doctor + honorific). In Korean culture, teachers are highly respected. The use of 선생님 for non-teachers shows extension of that respect.
What's a common mistake?
Don't use 선생님 for peers or those younger than you — it implies they're older/higher status. For classmates or friends, just use their name + 씨 or -아/야.
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