見習(みなら)い

みならい
noun
apprentice; trainee; learning by observation
workeducation
1. apprentice; trainee; probationer
A person who is learning a skill or trade by watching and imitating experienced workers. Also used as a prefix meaning 'trainee' or 'apprentice.'
見習(みなら)い看護師(かんごし)として働(はたら)く。
To work as a trainee nurse.
彼(かれ)はまだ見習(みなら)いだから、一人(ひとり)では任(まか)せられない。
He's still an apprentice, so we can't leave him on his own.
料理人(りょうりにん)の見習(みなら)いとして三年間(さんねんかん)修業(しゅぎょう)した。
I trained for three years as a chef's apprentice.
2. learning by observation; on-the-job training
The act or period of learning by watching and imitating others in a workplace or craft.
最初(さいしょ)の一(いっ)か月(げつ)は見習(みなら)い期間(きかん)です。
The first month is a probation period.
先輩(せんぱい)の仕事(しごと)を見習(みなら)いながら技術(ぎじゅつ)を身(み)につけた。
I acquired skills by watching and learning from my senior colleagues.
この職場(しょくば)では見習(みなら)いの期間(きかん)が終(お)わるまで給料(きゅうりょう)は低(ひく)い。
At this workplace, the salary is low until the training period is over.

Derived from the verb 見習(みなら)う (to learn by watching). Often used as a prefix: 見習(みなら)い看護師(かんごし) (trainee nurse), 見習(みなら)い運転手(うんてんしゅ) (trainee driver). Common collocations: 見習(みなら)い期間(きかん) (probation/training period), 見習(みなら)い中(ちゅう) (in training). In traditional crafts, a 見習(みなら)い learns by observing the master, reflecting the Japanese approach to skill acquisition through imitation rather than formal instruction.

Related Words

Related: 見習(みなら)う (to learn by observation, to follow the example of)
Compare: 修業(しゅぎょう) (training)
Compare: 徒弟(とてい) (apprentice)
Compare: 候補生(こうほせい) (trainee)
general
Added 2026.3.23 10:58 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
18500/18735_minarai