1.
newcomer; new member; new arrival; latecomer
A person who has recently joined a group, organization, community, or field. Often contrasted with established or senior members.
新参者にはわからないことが多い。
There's a lot that newcomers don't understand.
この業界ではまだ新参なので、勉強することが山ほどある。
I'm still a newcomer in this industry, so there's a mountain of things to learn.
新参のファンだが、この作品の魅力にすっかりはまってしまった。
I'm a new fan, but I've completely fallen for the charm of this work.
A compound of 新 (new) and 参 (joining, participating). Can be used as a standalone noun or as a modifier with の. The opposite is 古参 (old-timer, veteran member).
USAGE:
Common in both traditional and modern contexts. In online communities, 新参 and 古参 are frequently used to distinguish between new and long-standing fans or members. Can carry a slight sense of being an outsider who hasn't yet earned full standing.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 新参者 — newcomer (with the person suffix)
- 新参ファン — new fan
- 新参の企業 — new entrant (company)
- 新参お断り — no newcomers allowed
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 古参 — old-timer, veteran member (opposite)
- 新人 — new person, rookie (more for workplace/professional contexts)
- 新入り — newcomer, new arrival (more general, less about group dynamics)