Japanese word

年下

Pronunciation

Romajitoshishita

Meaning

  • nounyounger person

Example

私は年下の人と話します。watashi wa toshi shita no hito to hana shi ma su

I talk with a younger person.

Illustration for 年下 (younger person)

More examples

彼は私より年下ですが、仕事では頼りになります。kare wa watashi yo ri toshi shita de su ga shi goto de wa tayo ri ni na ri ma su

He is younger than me, but I can rely on him at work.

Core concept

Identifies someone whose age is below that of another person used as a reference.

Common phrases

  • 年下の人toshi shita no hito

    younger person

  • 年下の友達toshi shita no tomo dachi

    younger friend

Definition in Japanese

ある人を基準にして、その人より年齢が少ない人。a ru hito o ki jun ni shi te so no hito yo ri nen rei ga suku na i hito

Word origin

年下 (toshishita) is formed from 年 (toshi, "age") and 下 (shita, "below"), combining the ideas of age and being below to mean a younger person.

Usage tips

  • In Japanese, 年下 (toshishita) may refer to a younger colleague or friend, but the word itself states an age relationship rather than a difference in ability or status.

Other meanings

  • juniornoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word