Senpai: The Japanese Word You Look Up To

April 16, 2019•words written byKanae Nakamine•Art byJean Wei"Notice me, senpai!"You've probably seen this phrase floating around the Internet. It took hold in 2012 and introduced many people outside Japan to the word 先輩 (せんぱい), as well as its counterpart, 後輩 (こうはい). It became a popular meme, shortly after the word tsundere did the same. 先輩（せんぱい） senior (at work or school); superior; elder; older graduateTo most Japanese people, however, this "senpai sensation" was a surprise. To them, "senpai" doesn't necessarily carry any idolizing/romantic connotation. In fact, the senpai/kōhai relationship exists in almost all facets of Japanese life—far beyond the anime-high-school arena.In this article you'll learn the real meaning behind senpai and all the different ways to use it, taking into account its cultural and social underpinnings. And pay attention—if you visit or live in Japan, you may find yourself having a senpai… or a kōhai. Without reading this article, you may n...