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老师

lǎoshī

teacher

Usage note

老师是在学校里教我们知识的人,我们每天见到老师要问好。

Lǎoshī shì zài xuéxiào lǐ jiāo wǒmen zhīshi de rén, wǒmen měitiān jiàn dào lǎoshī yào wèn hǎo.

This word refers to a person who teaches knowledge at school. It is used as a respectful title when greeting or talking about educators.

Context note

在学校里,我们称呼教我们知识的人为老师老师帮助我们学习和成长。

Zài xuéxiào lǐ, wǒmen chēnghu jiāo wǒmen zhīshi de rén wéi lǎoshī. Lǎoshī bāngzhù wǒmen xuéxí hé chéngzhǎng.

This word is used in school to address someone who teaches knowledge. It refers to a person who helps students learn and grow.

5 examples

他是我们的语文老师
tā shì wǒ men de yǔ wén lǎo shī
He is our Chinese teacher.
她教我们画画
tā jiào wǒ men huà huà
She teaches us to draw.
我最喜欢的老师是数学老师
wǒ zuì xǐ huan de lǎo shī shì shù xué lǎo shī
My favorite teacher is the math teacher.
老师在办公室里
lǎo shī zài bàn gōng shì lǐ
The teacher is in the office.
我们每天都要见老师
wǒ men měi tiān dōu yào jiàn lǎo shī
We see the teacher every day.

5 mini stories

小明的妈妈是老师
xiǎo míng de mā ma shì lǎo shī。
Xiaoming's mom is a teacher.
老师教我们很多知识。
lǎo shī jiào wǒ men hěn duō zhī shi。
The teacher teaches us a lot of knowledge.
老师很和蔼可亲。
lǎo shī hěn hé ǎi kě qīn。
The teacher is very kind.
老师喜欢带我们玩游戏。
lǎo shī xǐ huan dài wǒ men wán yóu xì。
The teacher likes to play games with us.
老师布置了很多作业。
lǎo shī bù zhì le hěn duō zuò yè。
The teacher assigns a lot of homework.

Mini dialogue

早上好

A
老师,早上好!
Lǎo shī, zǎo shang hǎo!
Good morning, teacher!
B
早上好,请坐。
Zǎo shang hǎo, qǐng zuò.
Good morning, please sit down.

有问题

A
老师,我有一个问题。
Lǎo shī, wǒ yǒu yī gè wèn tí.
Teacher, I have a question.
B
好,你问吧。
Hǎo, nǐ wèn ba.
Okay, go ahead and ask.

Related words and contrasts

opposite
学生
xué shēng
student

老师 is the teacher; 学生 is the student. They form a natural pair in a classroom.

similar
教师
jiào shī
teacher (formal title)

教师 is a more formal job title; 老师 is the common, friendly way to address a teacher.

related
同学
tóng xué
classmate

同学 means classmate, another person you see at school alongside your 老师.

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