素人(しろうと)

しろうと
noun
amateur, layperson
society
See also: 玄人(くろうと) (expert, professional)
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(しろうと)考(かんが)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

Similar words

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

Related Words

Antonym: 玄人(くろうと) (professional, expert)
Antonym: プロ (professional)
Compare: 専門家(せんもんか) (professional, expert)
Compare: 初心者(しょしんしゃ) (beginner)
Compare: アマチュア (amateur)
Compare: 入門者(にゅうもんしゃ) (beginner)
Compare: 一般人(いっぱんじん) (ordinary person)
Compare: 門外(もんがい) (outside the gate)
Compare: 専門外(せんもんがい) (outside one's specialty)
Compare: 未経験者(みけいけんしゃ) (inexperienced person)
core
Added 2026.1.14 7:31 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
04000/04270_shirouto