1.
ronin, masterless samurai
A samurai without a lord or master during the feudal period. Ronin lost their position through the death or fall of their master, or through dismissal.
赤穂浪士は有名な浪人だ。
The Ako ronin are famous masterless samurai.
江戸時代には多くの浪人が城下町をさまよっていた。
During the Edo period, many ronin wandered through castle towns.
2.
exam retaker, student studying for another year to retake entrance exams
A student who failed university entrance exams and is spending a year (or more) preparing to retake them. This is the most common modern usage.
志望校に落ちて浪人した。
I failed the exam for my school of choice and became a ronin.
一年間浪人して、第一志望の大学に合格した。
After studying for a year as a ronin, I passed the exam for my first-choice university.
浪人生活は精神的につらかったが、結果的には良い経験になった。
Life as a ronin was mentally tough, but it turned out to be a good experience.
浪人中は予備校に通っている。
During my ronin year, I attend a prep school.
CULTURE:
In modern Japan, 浪人 most commonly refers to students who did not gain admission to their desired university and are spending an extra year (or more) studying to retake entrance exams. These students often attend 予備校 (cram schools). The term carries no strong stigma, as retaking exams is relatively common. Students who take one extra year are called 一浪, two years 二浪, and so on.
The historical meaning of a masterless samurai is well known through stories like the 忠臣蔵 (tale of the 47 ronin).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 浪人する: to become a ronin (spend a gap year)
- 浪人生: a ronin student
- 浪人生活: life as a ronin student
- 一浪: one year as a ronin
- 浪人中: during one's ronin period