初心者(しょしんしゃ)

しょしんしゃ
noun
beginner
1. beginner, novice
A person who has just started learning or doing something and lacks experience.
私(わたし)は日本語(にほんご)の初心者(しょしんしゃ)です。
I am a beginner in Japanese.
初心者(しょしんしゃ)向(む)けの本(ほん)を買(か)った。
I bought a book for beginners.
このスキー場(じょう)には初心者(しょしんしゃ)用(よう)のコースがある。
This ski resort has courses for beginners.

Compound of 初心(しょしん) (beginner's mind) + 者(しゃ) (person). Used for any skill, hobby, or activity.

COMMON EXPRESSIONS:

  • 初心者(しょしんしゃ)向(む)け: for beginners, beginner-friendly
  • 初心者(しょしんしゃ)用(よう): for beginners (use)
  • 初心者(しょしんしゃ)コース: beginner course
  • 初心者(しょしんしゃ)マーク: beginner driver mark (green and yellow 若葉(わかば) symbol)

CULTURAL NOTE:
New drivers in Japan must display the 初心者(しょしんしゃ)マーク for one year after getting their license.

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • ビギナー: beginner (loanword, casual)
  • 素人(しろうと): amateur, layperson (can be slightly dismissive)
  • 未経験者(みけいけんしゃ): person without experience (formal, often in job listings)
general
Added 2026.2.5 20:49 · Revised 2026.4.4 10:54
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