noun
expert; learned person; master
Refers to someone with deep knowledge or skill in a field, not necessarily holding a formal doctorate. Often used respectfully or humorously.
彼はコンピューターの博士だ。
He's a computer expert.
うちの祖父は将棋の博士で、誰に
My grandfather is a shogi master and never loses to anyone.
noun, noun, used as a suffix
Colloquial abbreviation for 博士 (はくし), used as a title or suffix for someone with a doctoral degree. Common in casual conversation.
See also: 博士 (はくし)
山田博士は来月、学会で発表するらしい。
Dr. Yamada is apparently giving a presentation at the conference next month.
彼女は博士号を取って、今は博士と呼ばれている。
She got her PhD and is now called 'doctor'.
noun
imperial court instructor (ritsuryō period)
Historical term for a scholar-official who taught at the imperial court during the ritsuryō system. Not used in modern contexts.
律令制下では、博士は貴族の子弟に儒学を教えた。
Under the ritsuryō system, the hakase taught Confucianism to the children of the nobility.
noun
pitch and length marks (Buddhist chant)
Specialized term for notation marks indicating pitch and duration in Buddhist liturgical chanting. Rare outside religious contexts.
See also: 墨譜
この経典には、博士と呼ばれる音譜が書き込まれている。
This sutra has notation marks called hakase written in it.