Japanese word

若手

Pronunciation

Romajiwakate

Meaning

  • nounyoung employee

Example

会社の若手が新しい案を出します。kai sha no waka te ga atara shi i an o da shi ma su

The company's young employees suggest a new idea.

Illustration for 若手 (young employee)

More examples

この部署では若手の意見を大切にしています。ko no bu sho de wa waka te no i ken o tai setsu ni shi te i ma su

This department values the opinions of its young employees.

Core concept

Centers on a relatively young person who occupies a less senior place within a group or workplace.

Common phrases

  • 若手社員waka te sha in

    young employees

  • 若手の意見waka te no i ken

    young employees' opinions

  • 若手を育てるwaka te o soda te ru

    develop young employees

Similar words

若者wakamono: A young person, without implying a workplace or level of seniority.
新人shinjin: A person who is new to a workplace, organization, or activity.

Definition in Japanese

組織や集団で比較的年齢が若く、経験の浅い側に属する人。so shiki ya shū dan de hi kaku teki nen rei ga waka ku kei ken no asa i gawa ni zoku su ru hito

Word origin

若手 (wakate) combines 若 (waka, "young") and 手 (te, "hand; person or worker"), giving the compound its sense of a young member.

Usage tips

  • In workplace Japanese, 若手 (wakate) often refers to relatively young or less experienced staff in contrast with senior members, not simply anyone who is young.

Other meanings

  • young personnoun
  • junior membernoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word