Senpai?

[Ti]

If you meet people from another dojo and they out rank you rank wise, do you still call them senpai?

[pinoy_1]

no, i think senpai is used when you and him are with the same dojo or organization.

Lets see what other comments we have with this.

[ninjanurse]

I would have to say that "senpai" is reserved for the highest ranking student in ones dojo and does not carry with it a permanence such as "sensei" therefore it's use out side the dojo is not necessary except in referring to one's "senpai" in conversation.

[ps1]

No. The sempai/kohai relationship is much different that that. Further, it often has nothing to do with rank.

[sojobo]

Hello,

Senpai or sempai (both are grammatically correct however "Sempai" is phonetically correct), is more about relationship than rank.

There is (or should be) a personal bond between you and your senpai and so therefore seniors from any other group are not your senpai.

Sojobo

[pinoy_1]

So, how do you call those other higher ranks in your dojo when you are calling only senpai only the highest rank?

[Dobbersky]

I would say that although some may say that the Sempai/Kohai relationship is within your own Dojo, as you are a representative of your Dojo, it would make your Sensei proud if he learned that one of his students gained a reputation of being polite and honourable.

in Kyokushin, Ashihara, Enshin etc anyone of a higher grade is Sempai (upto Sandan) or Sensei (Sandan upwards) etc.

[pinoy_1]

Yes, I understand.. Now dobbersky I would like to ask, how do you call those higher ranks which are under 15 or 18 of age?

[ps1]

I would stick with sir and ma'am. You can't go wrong with those. They are polite and more correct than improperly using sempai.

[Ti]

I don't view others outside my org as senpai, I reserve that primarily for yudansha of my dojo and org. That's just me though.