laoshi

English

Etymology

From the Hanyu Pinyin romanization of 老師／老师 (lǎoshī, “teacher”).

Noun

laoshi (plural laoshi)

1. A teacher, in the context of Chinese culture.
   • 2007, YC Young Children - Volume 62, page 62:

     As part of a long-term project to learn more about love and friendship, the laoshi guides the children in friendship-oriented activities, discussions, and art projects.

   • 2008, Bell Yung, The Last of China's Literati, page 60:

     Tsar has said more than once: "My laoshi, much as l respected him, was a very peculiar person."

   • 2010, Helen Rees, Lives in Chinese Music, page 82:

     When I had learned a piece by heart but had not mastered the details, laoshi would play each section of the piece with me in unison, stopping to explain the details, until we played through the entire piece.

   • 2020, Samuel Wong, “Rituals of Respect:Social Interactions within Singaporean Chinese Orchestras”, in Michelle Loh, Lum Yan Sing, editors, Traditional Chinese Music in Contemporary Singapore:

     The relationship between a laoshi and a disciple never truly ends; the latter's sense of obligation and indebtedness endures beyond the functional lifespan of the relationship.