後 輩(こうはい)

こうはい

noun

junior, younger colleague

1. junior, underclassman, younger colleague

Someone who entered an organization, school, or profession after you.

後輩(こうはい)の面倒(めんどう)を見(み)る。

I look after my juniors.

後輩(こうはい)から相談(そうだん)を受(う)けた。

I received a consultation from a junior.

大学(だいがく)の後輩(こうはい)に会(あ)った。

I met someone who was my junior in university.

後輩(こうはい)に仕事(しごと)のやり方(かた)を教(おし)えるのも先輩(せんぱい)の役割(やくわり)だ。

Teaching juniors how to do the job is also a senior's role.

高校(こうこう)時代(じだい)の後輩(こうはい)が同(おな)じ会社(かいしゃ)に入(はい)ってきて、とても驚(おどろ)いた。

A junior from my high school days joined the same company, and I was very surprised.

Part of the 先輩(せんぱい)/後輩(こうはい) (senior/junior) relationship system important in Japanese culture.

Usage

Used as a noun to refer to juniors
Often used with possessive: 私(わたし)の後輩(こうはい) (my junior)
Less commonly used as a direct address (unlike 先輩(せんぱい))

Cultural note

The 先輩(せんぱい)/後輩(こうはい) system establishes social hierarchy in schools and workplaces. 後輩(こうはい) are expected to show respect to their 先輩(せんぱい).

Related Words

Antonym: 先輩(せんぱい) (senior)

Compare: 目上(めうえ) (superior, senior)

Related: 部下(ぶか) (subordinate, underling)

Related: 目下(めした) (subordinate)

Compare: 同窓(どうそう) (fellow alumnus)

Compare: 弟分(おとうとぶん) (younger-brother figure, junior (in a close relationship))

core

Added 2026.1.11 21:11 · Revised 2026.9.2 12:02

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