seonsaengnim
Also written: sonsengnim; seonsaeng-nim; teacher; instructor; respected professional
A respectful Korean title for a teacher or instructor, also extended to certain professionals, experts, artists, and people addressed with formal respect.
Literal meaning
honored teacher; one who was born earlier
Cultural context
The title combines 선생 with the honorific suffix 님. It may be used alone or after a name and does more social work than the simple English word “teacher.”
How dramas use it
Students address teachers, patients may address doctors as 의사 선생님, and characters use the title for mentors, writers, artists, instructors, and respected specialists.
Usage & formality
The title is not limited to schoolteachers. The exact English translation depends on profession and context, but the respectful force should not be lost.