師 (shī) - Teacher & master

師Tone 1

shī ｜ 10 strokes ｜ radical:

上姝

師 · shī

Teacher;

master;

expert;

model;

army;

troops;

a surname.

Teachermasterexpert

Usage highlights

TeacherMasterArmy divisionEngineerLawyerChef

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • 徒— Apprentice, disciple
  • 生— Student, pupil

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He is a respected teacher (老师).
  • The martial arts master (师父) taught his disciples.
  • The army (军队) advanced towards the enemy.
  • She is a master of her craft (大师).

Collocations

  • Teacher(老师)
  • Master(师父)
  • Army division(师团)
  • Engineer(工程师)
  • Lawyer(律师)
  • Chef(厨师)

Idioms

  • A teacher for a day is a father for a lifetime(一日为师，终身为父)
  • To make a teacher of oneself(为人师表)
  • The army's momentum is powerful(师出有名)
  • Learn from the ancients(师法古人)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Historically, the character denotes both military units and respected teachers, reflecting the Confucian ideal of the scholar-official who could command armies.
  • The role of a 'teacher' (师) is highly revered in Chinese culture, often accorded a status similar to that of a parent.
  • In ancient China, '师' also referred to specialized artisans or experts who passed down skills through apprenticeships.

FAQ