师父

師父

shīfu

noun HSK 6 #8,058

Measure Word

一位师父 wèi

Meanings

1 master; teacher (respectful term)
2 used as a polite form of address for skilled workers

Characters

teacher; master

Teacher-father — a respectful term for a master or mentor.

Examples

他跟师父学了三年功夫。

Tā gēn shīfu xué le sānnián gōngfu.

He studied kung fu with his master for three years.

师父，请问这个怎么做？

Shīfu, qǐngwèn zhège zěnme zuò?

Master, may I ask how to do this?

出租车师父，去火车站。

Chūzūchē shīfu, qùhuǒ chēzhàn.

Taxi driver, to the train station please.

Tips

usage

师父 vs. 师傅 (shī fu): 师父 emphasizes the master-disciple relationship (more personal/respectful). 师傅 is a general polite address for workers (drivers, repairmen, chefs). In practice, they're often interchangeable.

Stroke Order

师 shī

父 fù