Echoes of “Jinsei no Senpai”

 

While it's uncommon, there are moments when I recollect something I've casually heard from an unspecified elder in the past: "Now that I think about it, that person said something like this back then. I feel like I'm in the same position as that person was back then, experiencing similar emotions and sentiments. It seems like I'm uttering words akin to theirs." In Japanese, there exists a culturally distinctive term, "Senpai," and I believe the literal translation in English would be "Senior." However, in Japanese, the term "Senpai" not only denotes someone born earlier but also carries a sense of respect. It can encompass someone who is older, more experienced, or has a longer tenure than you in various aspects such as age, status, experience, academics, skill, and more. Additionally, in Japan, the phrase "Jinsei no Senpai" (Senior in life) is occasionally used, and the situation mentioned at the beginning serves as an example that evokes the concept of "Jinsei no Senpai."

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