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

  1. Alternative form of senpai

Ancestry of “sempai”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishsenpaiThe senior member of a group in Japanese arts; a...
2Japanese先輩a senior, one who has seniority; an upperclassman
3Middle Chinese先first, former; earlier, first
Every word from Middle Chinese 先 →Every word from Japanese 先輩 →Every word from English senpai →