目下(めした)

めした
noun
subordinate; one's junior
businesscolloquialworksociety
1. subordinate; one's junior; inferior
a person of lower rank, status, or age; often used in workplace or social hierarchy contexts
目下(めした)の者(もの)に対(たい)して丁寧(ていねい)に接(せっ)する。
To treat one's subordinates politely.
目下(めした)から尊敬(そんけい)される上司(じょうし)になりたい。
I want to become a boss who is respected by my subordinates.
彼(かれ)は目下(めした)にも目上(めうえ)にも同(おな)じ態度(たいど)だ。
He treats both his juniors and seniors the same way.

Hierarchy vocabulary

目下(めした) refers to someone of lower status, the opposite of 目上(めうえ) (superior).

Similar words

  • 目上(めうえ) - superior, elder, someone of higher status
  • 目下(めした) - subordinate, junior, someone of lower status

Related words

Watch out

Note that there is a homograph 目下(もっか) meaning "at present; currently" which has a different reading.

Keigo context

Japanese language uses different speech levels depending on whether one is speaking to 目上(めうえ) or 目下(めした).

Related Words

Antonym: 目上(めうえ) (superior)
Related: 部下(ぶか) (subordinate)
Related: 後輩(こうはい) (junior)
Related: 先輩(せんぱい) (senior)
Related: 上司(じょうし) (boss, supervisor)
general
Added 2026.1.28 20:27 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
08500/08808_meshita