若造(わかぞう)

わかぞう
noun
youngster; greenhorn; young whippersnapper
1. youngster; greenhorn; stripling
A derogatory or dismissive term for a young, inexperienced person. Implies the person is immature, naive, or not yet worthy of respect. Typically used by older people referring to younger men.
若造(わかぞう)のくせに生意気(なまいき)だ。
He's just a greenhorn, yet so cocky.
あんな若造(わかぞう)に何(なに)がわかる。
What would a youngster like that know?
若造(わかぞう)と馬鹿(ばか)にされたが、結果(けっか)を出(だ)して見返(みかえ)してやった。
I was dismissed as a mere youngster, but I proved myself with results.

若造(わかぞう) is a derogatory term and is almost always used critically or dismissively. It is primarily directed at young men. The suffix 造(ぞう) (also seen in 野郎(やろう)→やつ patterns) adds a rough, disdainful nuance.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 若造(わかぞう)のくせに — even though (he's) just a youngster
  • 若造(わかぞう)と馬鹿(ばか)にする — to look down on as a greenhorn
  • ただの若造(わかぞう) — just a young punk

RELATED WORDS:

  • 青二才(あおにさい) — greenhorn, novice
  • 小僧(こぞう) — kid, brat
  • 若者(わかもの) — young person (neutral)
general
Added 2026.3.22 11:33
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