Meaning
导师 refers to a teacher or guide who provides one-on-one or small-group instruction, mentorship, or academic supervision. It's commonly used in academic contexts for thesis advisors, graduate supervisors, or professors who guide students' research. It can also refer to a mentor in professional or personal development.
Usage
Most frequently used in higher education settings to refer to graduate school advisors or dissertation supervisors. In mainland China, 导师 is the standard term for a master's or doctoral advisor. It carries a respectful tone and implies a close mentoring relationship beyond regular classroom teaching. Less commonly used for K-12 tutors, where 老师 or 家教 are more typical.
Examples
- 01我的导师在人工智能领域很有经验。.My advisor has a lot of experience in the field of artificial intelligence.
- 02选择一个好的导师对研究生来说非常重要。.Choosing a good advisor is very important for graduate students.
Characters
Measure words
- 位一位导师
- 个一个导师
Common collocations
- 博士生导师doctoral supervisor
- 硕士生导师master's degree supervisor
- 论文导师thesis advisor
- 找导师to find an advisor
Antonyms
Origin
The word combines 导 (to guide/lead) with 师 (teacher/master), literally meaning 'guiding teacher.' This reflects the traditional Chinese educational model where advanced students work closely with a master who guides their development.