Seonsaeng

Seonsaeng is the Korean noun 선생, meaning teacher or instructor. It derives from the Sino-Korean 先生, literally interpreted as “before-born” or “elder,” reflecting Confucian respect for teachers and elders. In modern Korean, 선생 refers to teachers in schools as well as to mentors or masters in other disciplines. The standard polite form when addressing someone is 선생님 (seonsaeng-nim), a common honorific used in conversation and practice.

In usage, 선생 covers formal teachers, private tutors, and coaches. For university instructors, the term 교수 is often used, while 스승 carries a more reverential or classical nuance, indicating a deeper mentor or sage figure. The everyday use of 선생 highlights the social value placed on education and guidance from authority figures within Korean culture.

Romanization of the term is seonsaeng, with the honorific form seonsaengnim for direct address. The concept also appears in historical and literary contexts, as well as in modern media, to denote a teacher, expert, or mentor figure. Overall, 선생 functions as a practical, widely understood term for educators in Korea, while its honorific and cultural nuances reflect broader Confucian influences on attitudes toward teaching and learning.