Sifu
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Sifu (師傅 or 師父; Pinyin: shīfu, Cantonese: si1 fu6) is a Chinese term for a teacher. The character 師 means “teacher”. The meaning of 傅 is “tutor” and of 父 “father”, both characters are read fu with the same tones in Cantonese and Mandarin, creating some ambiguity. A similar term often used in the Mandarin north is 老師 lǎo shī (Cantonese lou5 si1), "elder teacher".
Contextually, sifu is used in a familial manner as a child addressing a parent by the description "father", rather than a self referenced title seen in modern slang usage. It is also commonly used in a martial arts context to denote an instructional relationship.
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[edit] Common usage
In mainland China, sifu is a common respectful form to address all professions where knowledge or skill is exchanged, such as school teachers, drivers, cooks, house decorators, and many elders of old trades and arts, with a large amount of experience, such as paintings and calligraphy.
In modern slang, people use the word so as to, superficially, build up a better guanxi with others, in particular those with whom they are not familiar, not dissimilar from the western terms "boss" and "guv'nor".
[edit] Martial arts usage of sifu
Traditionally, in Chinese martial arts, the term was used as a familial term and sign of respect as in the general usage. [1]
The term takes on a more intimate context when a student becomes a formal student or disciple of the teacher. The acceptance as a student is a very formal event, usually requiring a discipleship ceremony called bai shi.[2] After the ceremony, the relationship is defined as a more direct parent/child context and usage takes on this term rather than a generic sign of respect for skill and knowledge. (Compare with the Japanese "sensei", the Malay "pendekar", and the Sanskrit guru.)
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Chew, Stephen. Sifu Usage Discussion, Item #21.. Retrieved on 2007-05-15.
- ^ Crescione, Dr. John. Bai Si - Art of the Disciple. Retrieved on 2007-05-15.
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