小僧(こぞう)

こぞう
noun
youngster, brat; young monk; apprentice
informalperson
1. youngster, brat, kid
A young boy or man, often used dismissively or with rough affection. Carries a condescending or contemptuous nuance when used by adults toward younger people.
この小僧(こぞう)、生意気(なまいき)だな。
This brat is cheeky.
まだまだ青(あお)い小僧(こぞう)だ。
He's still a green youngster.
昔(むかし)のやくざ映画(えいが)では、親分(おやぶん)が若(わか)い手下(てした)を「小僧(こぞう)」と呼(よ)ぶ場面(ばめん)がよくある。
In old yakuza movies, there are often scenes where the boss calls young subordinates 'kozou.'
2. young monk, temple boy; apprentice
A young boy training at a Buddhist temple, or more broadly, a young apprentice in a trade. The original meaning of the word.
寺(てら)の小僧(こぞう)が掃除(そうじ)をしている。
The young temple monk is cleaning.
丁稚(でっち)小僧(こぞう)は朝(あさ)から晩(ばん)まで働(はたら)いた。
The apprentice boy worked from morning to night.
昔話(むかしばなし)には寺(てら)の小僧(こぞう)が主人公(しゅじんこう)の話(はなし)が多(おお)い。
Many folk tales feature a young temple monk as the main character.

Etymology

小(こ) (small) + 僧(ぞう) (monk). Originally referred to a young Buddhist monk or temple acolyte. The meaning broadened to include any young boy, particularly one viewed with condescension.

Usage

Sense 1 is rough and condescending. It is typically used by older men toward younger men or boys, often in a scolding or dismissive context. It can also carry a touch of rough affection in some contexts. Sense 2 appears in historical and literary contexts.

Common collocations

Related Words

Related: 若造(わかぞう) (youngster)
general
Added 2026.2.21 14:51 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
12000/12388_kozou