子 分(こぶん)

こぶん

noun

follower, henchman

1. follower, subordinate, protégé, henchman

A person who follows and serves a leader or boss figure. Originally from the hierarchical oyabun-kobun (boss-follower) system, now used more broadly for any loyal underling.

親分(おやぶん)と子分(こぶん)の関係(かんけい)。

A boss-follower relationship.

彼(かれ)はいつもボスの子分(こぶん)のように振(ふ)る舞(ま)う。

He always acts like the boss's henchman.

ガキ大将(たいしょう)は子分(こぶん)を引(ひ)き連(つ)れて公園(こうえん)にやってきた。

The neighborhood bully came to the park with his gang of followers.

Comes from the traditional Japanese 親分(おやぶん)・子分(こぶん) (boss-follower) hierarchy, which originated in feudal loyalty structures and is strongly associated with yakuza organizations. In modern usage, it is also used colloquially or humorously for any boss-underling dynamic, including among children.

Common collocations

親分(おやぶん)と子分(こぶん): boss and follower (paired set)
子分(こぶん)になる: to become someone's follower
子分(こぶん)を従(したが)える: to have followers in tow
子分(こぶん)肌(はだ): having the temperament of a follower

Similar words

部下(ぶか): subordinate — workplace term; professional and neutral
手下(てした): underling — somewhat derogatory; implies being used
弟子(でし): disciple, apprentice — implies a teaching relationship

Related Words

Compare: 部下(ぶか) (subordinate)

Compare: 手下(てした) (underling)

Compare: 弟子(でし) (disciple, apprentice)

Compare: 弟分(おとうとぶん) (younger-brother figure, junior (in a close relationship))

general

Added 2026.3.27 14:30 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

19500/19895_kobun