弟子(でし)

でし
noun
disciple; pupil; apprentice
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: More formal than 生徒(せいと) (student) and implies a traditional master-apprentice relationship.

COMMON EXPRESSIONS:

  • 弟子(でし)入(い)りする (to become an apprentice)
  • 内(うち)弟子(でし) (live-in apprentice)
  • 高(たか)弟(でい) (top disciple, senior student)

CONTRAST:

  • 師匠(ししょう) (master) - the teacher in this relationship
  • 生徒(せいと) - student (more general, school context)
  • 門下生(もんかせい) - student of a school/tradition

Related Words

Antonym: 師匠(ししょう) (master)
core
Added 2026.1.13 16:50 · Revised 2026.3.3 8:56
03500/03986_deshi