先生

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 先生 is read せんせい and is a respectful term for someone who teaches.
• Basic usage: At school, use it to refer to a teacher or address one directly.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Title versus occupation
  • 先生 can address a person directly, while 教師 describes their occupation or role.
  • 先生 is also used to address doctors.