How common it is
先生 appears often in everyday Chinese, so it is worth practicing early and reviewing often.
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Pronunciation focus
Say xiānshēng slowly first, then repeat it in a short phrase. Listen for the tone shape.
Usage note
先生用来称呼男士，比如老师的尊称。
xiānshēng lái chēng shūrén, rúkě lǎoshī de zūnshēng.
先生 is used to address men, such as teachers.
Context note
在课堂上，我们可以说‘老师是我们的先生’。
zài kǎotáng shàng, wǒmen kěyǐ shuō ‘lǎoshī shì wǒmen de xiānshēng’.
In class, we can say 'teachers are our Mr.'.
5 examples
这是我的先生。
zhè shì wǒ de xiān shēng。
This is my teacher.
我尊敬的先生。
wǒ zūn jìng de xiān shēng。
Respected sir.
他是一位好先生。
tā shì yí wèi hǎo xiān shēng。
He is a good teacher.
我的儿子将来要做一个好先生。
wǒ de ér zi jiāng lái yào zuò yí gè hǎo xiān shēng。
My son will be a good teacher in the future.
我向这位先生问好。
wǒ xiàng zhè wèi xiān shēng wèn hǎo。
I greet this gentleman.
5 mini stories
小明的老师是他的先生。小明很尊敬他。
xiǎo míng de lǎo shī shì tā de xiān shēng。 xiǎo míng hěn zūn jìng tā。
Xiaoming's teacher is his Mr. Xiaoming respects him very much.
妈妈说，要尊重每一位先生。
mā ma shuō， yào zūn zhòng měi yí wèi xiān shēng。
Mom says we should respect every Mr.
学校里有很多好先生。
xué xiào lǐ yǒu hěn duō hǎo xiān shēng。
The school has many good teachers.
我向校长问好，他是一位和蔼的先生。
wǒ xiàng xiào zhǎng wèn hǎo， tā shì yí wèi hé ǎi de xiān shēng。
I greeted the principal, who is a kind Mr.
我的朋友介绍了一位新先生给我认识。
wǒ de péng yǒu jiè shào le yí wèi xīn xiān shēng gěi wǒ rèn shi。
My friend introduced me to a new teacher.