Japanese word

後輩

Pronunciation

Romajikōhai

Meaning

  • nounjunior

Example

私は後輩に仕事を教えます。watashi wa kō hai ni shi goto o oshi e ma su

I teach my junior how to do the job.

Illustration for 後輩 (junior)

More examples

休み時間に後輩と話します。yasu mi ji kan ni kō hai to hana shi ma su

I talk with a junior during recess.

Core concept

Describes a person who joined the same school, workplace, or group later and is therefore less senior in that group.

Common phrases

  • 後輩と話すkō hai to hana su

    talk with a junior

  • 後輩に相談するkō hai ni sō dan su ru

    consult a junior

Similar words

新人shinjin: A person who has recently joined a workplace or group and has little experience there.
年下toshishita: A person who is younger by age, without reference to group seniority.
部下buka: An employee who works under the authority of a manager or supervisor.
下級生kakyūsei: A student in a lower school grade than another student.

Definition in Japanese

同じ学校や職場などの集団に自分より後から加わった人。ona ji gak kō ya shoku ba na do no shū dan ni ji bun yo ri ato ka ra kuwa wa tta hito

Word origin

後 (kō, "after") + 輩 (hai, "a fellow or member of a group") forms a Sino-Japanese compound for a person from a later cohort.

Usage tips

  • 後輩 (kōhai) often appears with 先輩 (senpai) as a familiar pair in Japanese conversations about school, clubs, and workplaces.

Other meanings

  • younger studentnoun
  • underclassmannoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word