弟子(でし)

でし
noun
disciple; pupil; apprentice
education
1. disciple; pupil; apprentice
A person who learns from a master, especially in traditional arts, martial arts, crafts, or religious contexts. Implies a close mentorship relationship.
彼(かれ)は有名(ゆうめい)な画家(がか)の弟子(でし)だ。
He is a disciple of a famous painter.
師匠(ししょう)と弟子(でし)の関係(かんけい)は特別(とくべつ)だ。
The relationship between master and disciple is special.
弟子(でし)入(い)りを志願(しがん)した。
I applied to become an apprentice.
若(わか)いころに弟子(でし)入(い)りして、何年(なんねん)も修行(しゅぎょう)した。
I became an apprentice when I was young and trained for many years.
その師匠(ししょう)には弟子(でし)が大勢(おおぜい)いるが、一番(いちばん)弟子(でし)は特(とく)に腕(うで)がいいと言(い)われている。
That master has many disciples, but the top disciple is said to be especially skilled.

Usage

Implies a personal master-apprentice relationship, typical of traditional arts, crafts, martial arts, religion, and scholarship. A school pupil is 生徒(せいと), not 弟子(でし).

Common expressions

  • 弟子入(でしい)りする (to become an apprentice)
  • 内弟子(うちでし) (live-in apprentice)
  • 一番弟子(いちばんでし) (first or top disciple)
  • 高弟(こうてい) (senior or leading disciple; formal)

Similar words

Related Words

Antonym: 師匠(ししょう) (master)
Compare: 生徒(せいと) (student)
Compare: 門下生(もんかせい) (student of a school/tradition)
Compare: 教(おし)え子(ご) (pupil, student, protege)
Compare: 子分(こぶん) (follower, henchman)
Compare: 徒弟(とてい) (apprentice)
Compare: 師弟(してい) (master and disciple)
Compare: 門下(もんか) (pupil)
Compare: 門人(もんじん) (disciple)
Related: 親方(おやかた) (master)
core
Added 2026.1.13 16:50 · Revised 2026.10.11 21:42
03500/03986_deshi