目下(めした)

めした
noun
subordinate; one's junior
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).

CONTRAST:

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

RELATED TERMS:

  • 部下(ぶか) - subordinate (workplace)
  • 後輩(こうはい) - junior (school/work)
  • 先輩(せんぱい) - senior (school/work)
  • 上司(じょうし) - boss, supervisor

CAUTION:
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).

general
Added 2026.1.28 20:27
08500/08808_meshita