The Kanji: 師 (Shi)
The kanji 師 means "teacher," "master," or "expert." It combines 𠂤 (pile/accumulation) with 帀 (surround), originally depicting an army encampment - later extending to one who possesses accumulated knowledge. This character represents authoritative expertise.
Common Words & Example Sentences
1. 教師 (kyōshi) - Teacher
彼女は高校の教師です。
"She is a high school teacher."
2. 医師 (ishi) - Doctor
医師の診断を受ける。
"Receive a doctor's diagnosis."
3. 師匠 (shishō) - Master
茶道の師匠に習う。
"Learn from a tea ceremony master."
4. 美容師 (biyōshi) - Hairdresser
妹は美容師になりたい。
"My sister wants to become a hairdresser."
In summary, 師 describes qualified professionals - from educators (教師) and medical practitioners (医師) to skilled artisans (師匠) and beauty experts (美容師). It signifies mastery across various fields in Japanese society.