初心者です
shoshinsha desu
In Japanese, "I am a beginner" is said as 初心者です (shoshinsha desu).
The phrase 初心者です is used to state that you have just started learning or practicing a particular skill, such as a new hobby, a sport or a language lesson. This helps to manage the expectations of others. You can also use the word まだ to mean "still".
What does it mean word for word?
The word 初心者 (shoshinsha) is composed of sho (first), shin (new) and sha (person).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
初心者です is a formal way to say "I am a beginner". For informal settings or when speaking to friends, you can use 初心者だよ or 初心者だ.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express that you "were" a beginner in the past, change the copula desu to the past tense deshita, resulting in 初心者でした.
How do you pronounce it?
shoshinsha desu
Did you know?
- In Japan, you will see the word 初心者 on yellow and green signs placed on the rear of cars. This warns other drivers that the driver is a novice and may behave unpredictably.
- In traditional Japanese arts, there is a concept called 初心 (shoshin) or 'beginner's mind'. It refers to the practice of approaching a subject with openness and lack of preconceptions, even after one becomes a master.
- The word 初心者 is sometimes used ironically in online forums to describe a person who is actually quite skilled but is pretending to be new to avoid scrutiny.
Examples in context
- 私は日本語の初心者です。I am a beginner in Japanese.
- 私はまだ日本語の初心者です。I am still a beginner in Japanese.
- 私は日本語の未経験者です。I am a beginner in Japanese (with no prior experience).
- 日本語はまだよくわからないんだ。I still don't understand Japanese well.
- プログラミングの初心者です。Puroguramingu no shoshinsha desu.I am a beginner in programming.
- 料理の初心者です。教えてください。Ryori no shoshinsha desu. Oshiete kudasai.I am a beginner at cooking. Please teach me.
Example conversation
At a local language exchange meetup.
- 美咲 Misaki日本語の初心者です。Nihongo no shoshinsha desu.I am a beginner in Japanese.
- 大翔 Hiroto大丈夫ですよ。ゆっくり話しましょう。Daijoubu desu yo. Yukkuri hanashimashou.That's okay. Let's speak slowly.
- 美咲 Misakiありがとうございます。助かります。Arigatou gozaimasu. Tasukarimasu.Thank you. That helps a lot.
- 大翔 Hiroto美咲さんはとても上手ですね。Misaki-san wa totemo jouzu desu ne.Misaki, you are very good.
