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.'
見習い看護師として働く。
To work as a trainee nurse.
彼はまだ見習いだから、一人では任せられない。
He's still an apprentice, so we can't leave him on his own.
料理人の見習いとして三年間修業した。
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.
最初の一か月は見習い期間です。
The first month is a probation period.
先輩の仕事を見習いながら技術を身につけた。
I acquired skills by watching and learning from my senior colleagues.
この職場では見習いの期間が終わるまで給料は低い。
At this workplace, the salary is low until the training period is over.
Derived from the verb 見習う (to learn by watching). Often used as a prefix: 見習い看護師 (trainee nurse), 見習い運転手 (trainee driver). Common collocations: 見習い期間 (probation/training period), 見習い中 (in training). In traditional crafts, a 見習い learns by observing the master, reflecting the Japanese approach to skill acquisition through imitation rather than formal instruction.