Japanese word

初心者

Pronunciation

Romajishoshinsha

Meaning

  • nounbeginner

Example

私は日本語の初心者です。watashi wa nihon go no sho shin sha de su

I am a beginner in Japanese.

Illustration for 初心者 (beginner)

More examples

初心者には、この文法書は少し難しいです。sho shin sha ni wa ko no bun pō sho wa suko shi muzuka shi i de su

This grammar book is a little difficult for beginners.

Core concept

Centers on a person who has just begun learning a skill or subject and has little experience in it.

Common phrases

  • 初心者向けsho shin sha mu ke

    for beginners

  • 初心者歓迎sho shin sha kan gei

    beginners welcome

  • 初心者コースsho shin sha kō su

    beginner course

Similar words

初学者shogakusha: A person who has just started studying a subject and has little knowledge of it.
入門者nyūmonsha: A person at the introductory stage of learning a subject or skill.
新米shinmai: A person who is new to a role or activity and has little experience.

Definition in Japanese

ある分野を学び始めたばかりで、知識や経験がまだ少ない人。a ru bun ya o mana bi haji me ta ba ka ri de chi shiki ya kei ken ga ma da suku na i hito

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese compound 初心者 (shoshinsha) combines 初 (sho, "first"), 心 (shin, "mind"), and 者 (sha, "person").

Usage tips

  • In Japan, the leaf-shaped 初心者マーク (shoshinsha māku) identifies a driver who is still within the first year of driving.

Opposites

Word lists with this word