Sonsei
Inflections plural sonseis
A friend held in genuine esteem who nonetheless commits acts of outlandish or reckless behaviour; a companion who commands respect as a mentor yet conducts himself audaciously.
Especially, a peer regarded as a quasi-teacher or master, from whom one takes instruction or example.
“My sonsei showed me how to be lowkey.”
— Professor Sendy
Used as a term of address for such a friend.
“Capree, son, I'm not trying to do that.”
— Professor Sendy
“I was vibing when my sonsei walked up and dropped The Balsend Peanemis.”
— Professor Sendy
Synonyms
Word History
The Combo
son sensei Sonsei
lend of son (a young man addressed familiarly, as in colloquial American "son") and sensei (Japanese 先生, "teacher, master"). The resulting wombo fuses the affectionate-bro register of "son" with the venerated, instructive standing of a martial-arts or spiritual master, yielding a friend who is at once a peer and a revered teacher.
First Known Use 2026 (in a video by Professor Sendy)
Coinage credited to Professor Sendy.
Attested in the source utterance, @ProfessorSendy ↗