門下生(もんかせい)

もんかせい
noun
pupil; disciple; student (of a master)
personeducation
1. pupil; disciple; student of a master
A person who studies under a particular master or teacher, especially in traditional arts, martial arts, crafts, or academic disciplines. Implies a personal teacher-student relationship.
師匠(ししょう)の門下生(もんかせい)になった。
I became a pupil of the master.
あの書道家(しょどうか)には百人(ひゃくにん)を超(こ)える門下生(もんかせい)がいる。
That calligrapher has over a hundred pupils.
門下生(もんかせい)たちは師匠(ししょう)の教(おし)えを守(まも)り、伝統(でんとう)の技(わざ)を次(つぎ)の世代(せだい)に伝(つた)えている。
The disciples follow their master's teachings and pass the traditional skills on to the next generation.

Usage

門下生(もんかせい) literally means "student under the gate" — historically, students gathered at the master's gate (home/school). It implies a traditional, personal relationship, not just attending a class.

Common collocations

  • 門下生(もんかせい)を取(と)る (to take on pupils)
  • 門下生(もんかせい)になる (to become a disciple)
  • 多(おお)くの門下生(もんかせい) (many pupils)

Similar words

弟子(でし) is a more general term for disciple or apprentice. 門下生(もんかせい) emphasizes belonging to a specific school or master's lineage.

Related Words

Synonym: 弟子(でし)
Compare: 師弟(してい) (master and disciple)
Compare: 門人(もんじん) (disciple)
general
Added 2026.3.18 23:45 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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