senpai

plural senpais · alternative sempai

1. The senior member of a group in Japanese arts; a mentor.

   Many senpai attend the same dōjō for decades.

   2022, Alex W. Tong, The Science and Philosophy of Martial Arts: Exploring the Connections Between the Cognitive, Physical, and Spiritual Aspects of Martial Arts, Blue Snake Books, →ISBN, page 203

   2 more examples

   Senpai are also known to intercede on behalf of their kohai to explain their mistakes.

   1974, Thomas P. Rohlen, For Harmony and Strength: Japanese White-Collar Organization in Anthropological Perspective, University of California Press, →ISBN, page 131

   They usually act as a mentor for kōhai, although in reality not all senpai are as generous or genuine about mentoring junior colleagues.

   2022, Marc Helmold, Ayşe Küçük Yılmaz, Triant Flouris, Thomas Winner, Violeta Cvetkoska, Tracy Dathe, Lean Management, Kaizen, Kata and Keiretsu: Best-Practice Examples and Industry Insights from Japanese Concepts, Springer, →ISBN, page 57

2. slanganimeAn upperclassman or elder student, in the context of Japan.