‘教龄’ literally combines ‘教’ (jiào), meaning ‘to teach’, and ‘龄’ (líng), meaning ‘age’ or ‘years of life’. Together, it refers specifically to the number of years a person has worked as a professional teacher — their accumulated teaching experience. It is not about biological age but rather a measure of professional service in education.

This term is commonly used in formal contexts such as teacher evaluations, school personnel files, job applications, salary scales, and policy discussions about educational qualifications. In China, teaching seniority often affects promotions, benefits, and retirement eligibility. While it can technically apply to any educator, it’s most frequently associated with certified school teachers — especially in primary, secondary, and higher education institutions. It is rarely used for informal or volunteer teaching.