Chinese phrases
How to say teacher in Chinese
Teacher in Chinese is 老师 (lǎo shī). It’s also how you address a teacher: 老师 on its own, or the surname first, as in 王老师 (wáng lǎo shī).
老师
teacher
People also call many other professionals 老师 to show respect: writers, artists, TV hosts and senior people in media.
Ways to say teacher
老师
Everydayteacher
The word for a teacher, and how you address one in class: 老师好.
王老师
EverydayTeacher Wang
Surname first, then 老师. This is how students and parents address a teacher.
教授
Formalprofessor
At a university. As a title: 王教授, “Professor Wang.”
导师
Formalsupervisor; mentor
The professor who supervises a master’s or PhD student. Students still address them as 老师.
教师
Writtenteacher (job title)
On forms, in news and in 教师节, Teachers’ Day on September 10. Never used to address anyone.
班主任
Everydayhomeroom teacher
The teacher in charge of a class, who also talks to the parents. Parents use this word a lot.
Common mistakes
Putting 老师 before the name
English says “Teacher Wang,” but Chinese puts the surname first: 王老师, not 老师王.
Calling a teacher by name
Students don’t address a teacher by name. Say 老师 or 王老师. 您 is more respectful than 你.
Using 教师 as a title
教师 is a job title for forms and news. In class you say 王老师, never 王教师.
Hearing 先生 in period dramas
In old books and period dramas, 先生 means a teacher or a respected scholar. Today it usually means “Mr” or “husband.”
Before class
王老师好！
Leon: Hello, Teacher Wang!
你好！作业写完了吗？
Teacher: Hello! Have you finished your homework?
写完了。老师，这个字怎么读？
Leon: Yes. Teacher, how do you read this character?
我看看。
Teacher: Let me see.
