舎弟(しゃてい)

しゃてい
noun
younger brother; underling; follower
personfamily
1. younger brother (humble)
A humble way to refer to one's own younger brother. An older, formal expression.
舎弟(しゃてい)がおります。
I have a younger brother.
舎弟(しゃてい)は今年(ことし)大学(だいがく)を卒業(そつぎょう)しました。
My younger brother graduated from university this year.
舎弟(しゃてい)がついてまいります。
My younger brother will accompany us.
2. underling; follower; junior member
A subordinate or junior member in a hierarchical organization, especially in yakuza or gang contexts. Refers to someone who serves under a senior figure.
舎弟(しゃてい)を引(ひ)き連(つ)れる。
To bring along one's followers.
舎弟(しゃてい)たちが兄貴(あにき)の命令(めいれい)に従(したが)う。
The underlings follow the boss's orders.
映画(えいが)の中(なか)で、組長(くみちょう)の舎弟(しゃてい)が裏切(うらぎ)るシーンが印象的(いんしょうてき)だった。
The scene in the movie where the boss's underling betrays him was memorable.

Sense 1 is the original meaning: 舎(しゃ) is a humble prefix (as in 舎兄(しゃけい) for older brother) and 弟(てい) means younger brother. This usage is quite formal and archaic. Sense 2 is the more commonly encountered modern usage, strongly associated with yakuza films and fiction. In this context, 兄貴(あにき) (big brother/boss) and 舎弟(しゃてい) (follower/junior) form a hierarchical pair. Related: 弟(おとうと) (younger brother — standard), 兄貴(あにき) (big brother/boss), 子分(こぶん) (follower, henchman).

general
Added 2026.3.22 20:55 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
18500/18688_shatei