Who someone is to you
Core words, Stage 2chunk 28 of 80People
Lets you say how you know someone: teacher, senior, or just an acquaintance.
- senseiteacher; doctor
- senpaisenior (at school or work)
- shiriaiacquaintance; someone you know
- nakamafriends; teammates; companions
- zen'ineveryone; all members
Mix-ups sensei also means a doctor, and senpai is anyone who started before you, not a mentor.
sensei
teacher; doctor
Also a title for doctors, lawyers and writers, used alone or after a name: Tanaka-sensei.
Never used about yourself.
sensei ni kiite miyou.
Let's ask the teacher.
先生に聞いてみよう。
sensei ni kiite mimashou.
Let's ask the teacher.
先生に聞いてみましょう。
Written 先生 · せんせいRank #191 in 3,030 TV dramas
senpai
senior (at school or work)
Anyone who joined your school, club or company before you; used as a name, alone or after a surname.
Opposite: kouhai (junior). You usually speak to a senpai in desu/masu.
senpai ni gohan ogotte moratta.
My senpai bought me dinner.
先輩にご飯おごってもらった。
senpai ni gohan o ogotte moraimashita.
My senpai bought me dinner.
先輩にご飯をおごってもらいました。
Written 先輩 · せんぱいRank #791 in 3,030 TV dramas
shiriai
acquaintance; someone you know
Someone you know but aren't close to.
A friend is tomodachi. shiriai ni naru: get to know someone.
ano hito, shiriai na no?
Do you know that person?
あの人、知り合いなの？
ano hito, shiriai na n desu ka?
Do you know that person?
あの人、知り合いなんですか？
Written 知り合い · しりあいRank #727 in 3,030 TV dramas
nakama
friends; teammates; companions
People on the same side: a team, a crew, a close group of friends.
Warmer and more group-minded than tomodachi.
minna daiji na nakama da yo.
They're all friends who matter to me.
みんな大事な仲間だよ。
minna daiji na nakama desu.
They're all friends who matter to me.
みんな大事な仲間です。
Written 仲間 · なかまRank #694 in 3,030 TV dramas
zen'in
everyone; all members
Every single member of a set group, like a class, team or family.
minna is the casual 'everyone'; zen'in stresses that nobody is left out.
jaa, zen'in sorotta kara hajimeyou.
OK, everyone's here, so let's start.
じゃあ、全員そろったから始めよう。
dewa, zen'in soroimashita node hajimemashou.
Well, everyone's here, so let's begin.
では、全員そろいましたので始めましょう。
Written 全員 · ぜんいんRank #741 in 3,030 TV dramas