先輩

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 先輩(せんぱい) is someone who entered a school, workplace, or field of activity before you and has more experience there.
• Basic usage: It describes a senior helping someone practice for an interview.
  • 先輩に面接の練習相手になってもらった。

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Age and seniority
  • 年上(としうえ) means older in age, whereas 先輩 expresses seniority within the relevant group or field. Someone younger can still be your 先輩.