<p>Generally speaking, it is always appropriate to use “先生” as it is a title used to show your respect for others, especially those elder than you. Because the title “先生” can be understood as "born before you", which implys that they deserve your respect.</p>

<p>E.g.</p>

<ol>
<li><blockquote>
  <p>Mr. Green 格林先生</p>
  
  <p>Mr. Tom 汤姆先生</p>
  
  <p>Mr. Tom Green 格林·汤姆先生</p>
  
  <p>Hello, mister. 您好，先生。</p>
</blockquote>

<p>--- In this case, any male adult can be called “先生”, a child is seldom called that. The title can be used alone. Or you can add either his family name or given name before “先生”, or even his full name.</p></li>
<li><blockquote>
  <p>Your husband is handsome! 您先生可真帅气！</p>
</blockquote>

<p>--- In this case, the husband of one's own or someone else's can be called “先生”, but instead of the meaning "born before you", it is simply a title for "husband". Usually it is used in dialogs and <strong>cannot</strong> be used alone. In other words, a person will not directly called her husband “先生”.</p></li>
<li><blockquote>
  <p>Miss He Xiangning 何香凝先生</p>
  
  <p>Miss Song Qingling 宋庆龄先生</p>
</blockquote>

<p>--- In this case, for those honorary persons, even female can be called “先生”, but this kind of expression can rarely be seen nowadays.</p></li>
<li><blockquote>
  <p>算命先生</p>
  
  <p>风水先生</p>
  
  <p>教书先生</p>
  
  <p>看病先生</p>
  
  <p>账房先生</p>
</blockquote>

<p>--- These are idiomatic usage</p></li>
</ol>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-05-17T01:45:31.130Z
2013-05-17T01:45:31.130Z
Paul Allen
<p>I'm trying to figure out when the title 先生 is used. Is it used for Mr., husband, honorary person, or something else? 谢谢</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-05-15T01:33:21.420Z
Here's an exhaustive list of the possible uses of 先生: http://zh.wikipedia.org/zh/%E5%85%88%E7%94%9F
congusbongus
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-05-17T16:51:21.453Z
[related - When is it appropriate to address a lady as 先生？](http://chinese.stackexchange.com/q/2532/878)
杨以轩
<meaning>
When is it appropriate to use 先生?
# When is it appropriate to use 先生?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2013-05-15)

I'm trying to figure out when the title 先生 is used. Is it used for Mr., husband, honorary person, or something else? 谢谢

**Tags:** meaning
> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Here's an exhaustive list of the possible uses of 先生: http://zh.wikipedia.org/zh/%E5%85%88%E7%94%9F  
> **username_2**: [related - When is it appropriate to address a lady as 先生？](http://chinese.stackexchange.com/q/2532/878)  

---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2013-05-17. Score: 5 | Accepted answer

Generally speaking, it is always appropriate to use “先生” as it is a title used to show your respect for others, especially those elder than you. Because the title “先生” can be understood as "born before you", which implys that they deserve your respect.

E.g.

1. > Mr. Green 格林先生
   >
   > Mr. Tom 汤姆先生
   >
   > Mr. Tom Green 格林·汤姆先生
   >
   > Hello, mister. 您好，先生。

   --- In this case, any male adult can be called “先生”, a child is seldom called that. The title can be used alone. Or you can add either his family name or given name before “先生”, or even his full name.
2. > Your husband is handsome! 您先生可真帅气！

   --- In this case, the husband of one's own or someone else's can be called “先生”, but instead of the meaning "born before you", it is simply a title for "husband". Usually it is used in dialogs and **cannot** be used alone. In other words, a person will not directly called her husband “先生”.
3. > Miss He Xiangning 何香凝先生
   >
   > Miss Song Qingling 宋庆龄先生

   --- In this case, for those honorary persons, even female can be called “先生”, but this kind of expression can rarely be seen nowadays.
4. > 算命先生
   >
   > 风水先生
   >
   > 教书先生
   >
   > 看病先生
   >
   > 账房先生

   --- These are idiomatic usage


---

