素人(しろうと)

しろうと
noun
amateur, layperson
1. amateur, layperson
Someone who is not a professional or expert in a particular field; a nonprofessional.
素人(しろうと)には難(むずか)しい仕事(しごと)だ。
This is a difficult job for an amateur.
彼(かれ)は素人(しろうと)とは思(おも)えないほど上手(じょうず)だ。
He is so good that you wouldn't think he's an amateur.
素人(しろうと)考(かんが)えで申(もう)し訳(わけ)ありませんが、この方法(ほうほう)はどうでしょうか。
Excuse my amateur thinking, but how about this method?
素人考え = amateur thinking/idea
素人(しろうと)が手(て)を出(だ)すと危険(きけん)な作業(さぎょう)もある。
There are jobs that are dangerous for an amateur to attempt.
素人(しろうと)目(め)には違(ちが)いが分(わ)からないが、玄人(くろうと)はすぐに見分(みわ)けがつく。
An untrained eye can't tell the difference, but a professional can spot it right away.

素人(しろうと) refers to someone without professional training or expertise. It can describe both skill level and occupation status.

COMMON EXPRESSIONS:

  • 素人(しろうと)考(かんが)え: amateur thinking/unprofessional idea
  • 素人(しろうと)目(め): an untrained eye
  • 素人(しろうと)判断(はんだん): layperson's judgment

ANTONYM:

  • 玄人(くろうと)/専門家(せんもんか): professional, expert

The word comes from the contrast with 玄人(くろうと) (professional), where 白(しろ) (white) suggests inexperience or blankness.

core
Added 2026.1.14 7:31 · Revised 2026.3.4 11:20
04000/04270_shirouto