Definition
拜师 is a separable verb (离合词) meaning 'to formally become a pupil or apprentice under a master' — a traditional practice involving a ritual where the student acknowledges the master as their teacher. The verb-object structure means you can insert measure words or other elements between the two syllables, e.g. 拜了师 ('performed the apprenticeship ritual') or 拜过一次师 ('paid respects to a master once'). It is used in contexts like martial arts, traditional crafts, music, and sometimes academic mentorship.
v.o.
to formally become a pupil or apprentice under a master (often with a ritual)
Examples
- 拜师。Tā juédìng bài shī xuéxí wǔshù.He decided to formally become a pupil under a master to learn martial arts.
- 。Wǒ xiǎoshíhou bài guò yí wèi lǎo xiānsheng wéi shī.When I was young, I formally became an apprentice to an old gentleman.
- 拜师，，。bài shī zhīhòu, yào zūnzhòng shīfu, qínfèn xuéxí.After formally becoming an apprentice, you must respect your master and study diligently.
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