Question 1

What does 老师 mean in Chinese?

Accepted Answer

老师 (lǎoshī) means 'teacher' — anyone who teaches at any level, from kindergarten to university. The 老 here does NOT mean 'old'; it's an honorific prefix meaning 'respected / venerable,' the same 老 found in 老板 (boss) and 老朋友 (old friend). Two practical points English speakers miss: first, 老师 is a TITLE used like a name — you call your teacher '老师' directly, or '王老师' (Wang lǎoshī, Teacher Wang). Chinese never says 'Mr./Mrs.

+ surname' for teachers. Second, 老师 is gender-neutral; there's no 'Ms.' equivalent. University professors are usually still called 老师 in everyday speech, even though 教授 (jiàoshòu, professor) exists as a formal title.

Question 2

How do you pronounce 老师?

Accepted Answer

老师 is pronounced lǎoshī — 老 (lǎo), 师 (shī).

Question 3

Is 老师 a noun, verb, or something else?

Accepted Answer

老师 is a noun, register: neutral. 老师 is also a respectful term of address — students call their teacher 老师 directly, or 王老师 (Teacher Wang), the way English speakers might say 'Professor Smith.' Chinese never uses 'Mr.' or 'Ms.' for teachers — always 老师.

Question 4

What is the measure word for 老师?

Accepted Answer

Use 位 (wèi). Example: 一位老师 — polite — preferred when referring to a person you respect. Other measure words: 个 (gè).

Question 5

What's the difference between 老师 and 老板?

Accepted Answer

Same 老 prefix, different role. 老板 is 'boss / shop owner.' Don't call your teacher 老板.

Question 6

What's the difference between 老师 and 师傅?

Accepted Answer

师傅 is a master craftsman or skilled worker (mechanic, driver, chef). Same 师 character, but 师傅 implies trade skill, not academic teaching.

老师

What does 老师 mean?

Character breakdown

Measure word for 老师

Example sentences

Common phrases with 老师

Synonyms

Don't confuse 老师 with

FAQ

Hear 老师 in real Chinese, not in a flashcard.