Is "先生 / せんせい / sensei" haughty or overly-formal


If I were to tell my Japanese friend that I plan to become a teacher, would I
literally say that I will become a sensei? I have always thought of this as an
honorific title, and it feels odd to call myself as such. I don't know of any
"general" term for teacher. Is there one?

Thank you.




In general, you're correct. Calling yourself as _sensei_ has to be avoided,
because it's an honorific word. The better word is 教師【きょうし】.

However there is an exception. If you are to become Sensei of elementary
schools or kindergartens, I think it is OK to say "小学校の先生になりたい", at least
informally. Kids do not understand honorific expressions, and teachers in
those facilities frequently use 先生 as the first-person.

"高校/大学の先生になりたい" would be frowned upon in a formal setting.

**EDIT:** Actually my answer didn't mention how "高校/大学の先生になりたい" sounds like in
_informal_ situations, but in that case I totally agree with @dainichi.




In general, you're correct. Calling yourself as _sensei_ has to be avoided,
because it's an honorific word. The better word is 教師【きょうし】.

However there is an exception. If you are to become Sensei of elementary
schools or kindergartens, I think it is OK to say "小学校の先生になりたい", at least
informally. Kids do not understand honorific expressions, and teachers in
those facilities frequently use 先生 as the first-person.

"高校/大学の先生になりたい" would be frowned upon in a formal setting.

**EDIT:** Actually my answer didn't mention how "高校/大学の先生になりたい" sounds like in
_informal_ situations, but in that case I totally agree with @dainichi.

