1.
half-fledged; inexperienced; not yet fully competent
Describes someone whose skills, knowledge, or maturity have not yet reached a fully independent or professional level.
まだ半人前だから頑張らないと。
I'm still only half-fledged, so I need to work harder.
半人前のうちは先輩の言うことを聞け。
While you're still inexperienced, listen to what your seniors say.
料理人として一人前になるまで、何年も半人前の時期が続く。
Before becoming a full-fledged cook, there are years of being only half-trained.
Literally 'half a person's portion,' contrasting with 一人前 (a full portion; fully competent). Originally referred to half a serving of food, but now primarily used figuratively to describe someone not yet at a professional or adult level. Often used in the context of apprenticeship and skill development.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- まだ半人前: still only half-fledged
- 半人前の職人: a half-trained craftsman
- 半人前から一人前になる: to go from half-trained to fully competent
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 一人前: fully competent; full-fledged — the opposite, describing someone who has reached a professional or adult level
- 未熟: immature, unskilled — a more general and slightly harsher term for lack of skill or maturity
- 駆け出し: beginner, novice — emphasizes being at the very start, while 半人前 suggests some progress but not enough