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.
江戸時代の奉公人は住み込みで働いた。
Servants in the Edo period worked as live-in employees.
商家に奉公人として雇われる。
To be hired as an apprentice at a merchant house.
幼い頃から奉公人として厳しくしつけられた。
From a young age they were strictly disciplined as a servant.
Composed of 奉公 (service to a master) + 人 (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:
- 奉公人を雇う: to hire a servant
- 住み込みの奉公人: a live-in servant
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 丁稚: apprentice boy — a young live-in trainee at a shop
- 使用人: servant, employee — a plainer, more general term