宗師 (zōngshī) literally combines 宗 (zōng), meaning 'origin', 'orthodox school', or 'main lineage', and 師 (shī), meaning 'teacher' or 'master'. Together, it denotes a highly revered authority who founded or profoundly shaped a tradition—especially in martial arts, calligraphy, painting, philosophy, or religious practice. Unlike a regular teacher (老師), a 宗師 is recognized for groundbreaking contributions, deep wisdom, and lasting influence across generations.

The term carries strong cultural weight and formal respect; it’s rarely used casually or self-referentially. It often appears in historical accounts, biographies, or honorific titles—for example, calling Bodhidharma the 宗師 of Chan Buddhism or Zhang Sanfeng the 宗師 of Taijiquan. While sometimes translated as 'grandmaster', 宗師 emphasizes foundational authority more than technical skill alone.