Where does “sempai” come from?
sempai (English) comes from English senpai, from Japanese 先輩, from Middle Chinese 先 — first, former; earlier, first.
sempai (English): Alternative form of senpai
Definitions
- Alternative form of senpai
Ancestry of “sempai”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | English | senpai | The senior member of a group in Japanese arts; a... |
| 2 | Japanese | 先輩 | a senior, one who has seniority; an upperclassman |
| 3 | Middle Chinese | 先 | first, former; earlier, first |