'Shīfu' (师傅) is a respectful title used to address skilled professionals or experienced practitioners—such as carpenters, drivers, chefs, or martial arts instructors. Literally, 师 (shī) means 'teacher' or 'master', and 傅 (fù) also means 'tutor' or 'instructor'; together they emphasize expertise, authority, and mentorship. Historically rooted in apprenticeship traditions, the term conveys deference and recognition of mastery.

In modern daily life, 师傅 is widely used as a polite, neutral form of address for service workers—like taxi drivers, repair technicians, or street vendors—especially when you don’t know their name. It’s warmer and more personal than formal titles like 先生 (xiānsheng) or 女士 (nǚshì), yet remains appropriately respectful. Unlike terms such as 老师 (lǎoshī), which is reserved for educators, 师傅 implies hands-on skill rather than academic knowledge.