Japanese word

しもべ

Pronunciation

Romajishimobe

Meaning

  • nounservant

Example

王のしもべは忠実です。ō no shi mo be wa chū jitsu de su

The king's servant is loyal.

Illustration for しもべ (servant)

More examples

昔の物語には、王に仕えるしもべがよく登場します。mukashi no monogatari ni wa ō ni tsuka e ru shi mo be ga yo ku tō jō shi ma su

Old stories often feature servants who serve kings.

Core concept

Describes someone who stands in a lower position and works in obedience to a master or superior.

Common phrases

  • 王のしもべō no shi mo be

    the king's servant

  • 神のしもべkami no shi mo be

    servant of God

Similar words

下僕geboku: A person who serves a master in a low social position, often in literary or historical language.
家来kerai: A person who serves a lord or master, especially in a historical setting.
使用人shiyōnin: A person employed to do work in a household or for a private employer.

Definition in Japanese

主人や上位者に付き従い、その命令を受けて働く人。shu jin ya jō i sha ni tsu ki shitaga i so no mei rei o u ke te hatara ku hito

Word origin

The noun しもべ (shimobe, "servant") comes from 下部 (shimobe, "lower person"), with 下 (shimo, "below") and 部 (be, "part or group") expressing a person's lower status.

Usage tips

  • The English word servant appears in public servant and civil servant, where it means a person who works for the public rather than a household attendant.

Other meanings

  • slavenoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word