奉公人(ほうこうにん)

ほうこうにん
noun
servant; live-in apprentice
occupationhistory
1. servant; live-in apprentice
Historically, a person who worked in service to a master's household or shop, often living in and receiving room and board. Especially associated with the Edo period.
江戸(えど)時代(じだい)の奉公人(ほうこうにん)は住(す)み込(こ)みで働(はたら)いた。
Servants in the Edo period worked as live-in employees.
商家(しょうか)に奉公人(ほうこうにん)として雇(やと)われる。
To be hired as an apprentice at a merchant house.
幼(おさな)い頃(ころ)から奉公人(ほうこうにん)として厳(きび)しくしつけられた。
From a young age they were strictly disciplined as a servant.

Composed of 奉公(ほうこう) (service to a master) + 人(にん) (person). A historical term for someone who served in a household or shop, typically living on the premises. Rare in modern life except in historical or figurative contexts.

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 丁稚(でっち): apprentice boy — a young live-in trainee at a shop
  • 使用人(しようにん): servant, employee — a plainer, more general term

Related Words

Compare: 使用人(しようにん) (servant, employee)
general
Added 2026.7.15 21:19 · Revised 2026.9.6 9:20
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