先生

• Pinyin: xiān sheng
• Hanzi breakdown: 先 = first/before; 生 = life/born — 'one born before,' hence a senior or gentleman

Meaning

Mr.; sir; husband; gentleman. A respectful form of address for men.

The most common polite title for addressing men, equivalent to 'Mr.' in English. Also used by women to refer to their husbands. Placed after a surname: 王先生 (Mr. Wang). In service settings, staff may address male customers as 先生.

Examples

1. 王先生，您好！ Hello, Mr. Wang!
2. 这位先生想买这本书。 This gentleman would like to buy this book.
3. 我先生是老师。 My husband is a teacher.

Usage Guide

Context: social, formal

Tone: respectful

Do Say

• 李先生，请坐。(Mr. Li, please have a seat.)
• 我先生在公司上班。(My husband works at a company.)

Don't Say

• 先生王，你好。(Wrong order — the surname comes first: 王先生; not 先生王)

Origin & History

Literally means 'born first/before,' originally referring to someone older or senior. Over time it became a respectful title for men, similar to the evolution of 'sir' in English.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal