初心者
shoshinsha[ɕo̞ɕĩɰ̃ɕa̠]
The Japanese term for noob is 初心者 (shoshinsha). Wiktionary also lists 新参 (shinzan) and 中坊 (chūbō).
Meaning: newbie (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 初心者 | shoshinsha | [ɕo̞ɕĩɰ̃ɕa̠] (narrow) [ɕo̞ɕĩmːo̞no̞] (narrow) |
| 新参 | shinzan | [ɕĩnd͡zã̠ɴ] (narrow) |
| 中坊 | chūbō | [t͡ɕɨːbo̞ː] (narrow) |
初心者 is the most common way to describe a 'noob' in a non-insulting way.
Which one should you use?
While 初心者 is a neutral, polite term for a beginner, 新参 can carry a more negative connotation of being a 'newcomer' or an 'intruder'.
How do you pronounce it?
shoshinsha
Did you know?
- The word 初心者 is so common that it appears on specialized yellow and green stickers on cars to warn other drivers that the driver is a novice.
- While 初心者 is polite, the slang term 中坊 (chubou) is a biting insult that compares a user's behavior to that of an immature middle-school student.
- In the term 中坊 (chubou), the component 坊 (bou) originally referred to a Buddhist monk or a young boy, adding an extra layer of condescension to the insult.
Examples in context
- 彼はまだ初心者ですが、一生懸命頑張っています。He is still a beginner, but he's working hard.
- 私はまだ初心者です。Watashi wa mada shoshinsha desu.I am still a beginner.
- 彼はゲームの初心者らしい。Kare wa geemu no shoshinsha rashii.He seems to be a gaming newbie.
- 初心者向けのコースがあります。Shoshinsha muke no koosu ga arimasu.There is a course for beginners.
Example conversation
Kenta and Yui are talking about starting a new hobby together.
- 結衣 Yui健太さんはテニスを始めたんですか？Kenta-san wa tenisu o hajimeta n desu ka?Kenta, did you start tennis?
- 健太 Kentaはい、でもまだ初心者です。Hai, demo mada shoshinsha desu.Yes, but I am still a newbie.
- 結衣 Yui大丈夫、私も初心者ですから。Daijoubu, watashi mo shoshinsha desu kara.It is okay, because I am a beginner too.
- 健太 Kentaそれは心強いですね。Sore wa kokorozuyoi desu ne.That is encouraging to hear.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “noob” translations and entries 初心者, 新参, 中坊, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 中坊, 初心者, CC BY-SA 4.0.
