見習い

• Reading: みならい
• Romaji: minarai
• Kanji breakdown: 見 (mi) — see, watch; 習 (nara) — learn, practice
• Pronunciation: /mi.na.ɾa.i/

Meaning

Apprenticeship; trainee; learning by watching and imitating. Also the apprentice themselves.

A noun derived from the verb 見習う (to learn by observation/imitation). Refers both to the process of learning through observation and to the person doing so (an apprentice or trainee). Used in traditional crafts (見習い職人 — apprentice craftsman), corporate settings (見習い期間 — probation period), and everyday contexts like 見習いたい (I want to emulate that behaviour).

Examples

1. 料理人の見習いとして三年間修業した。 I trained as an apprentice chef for three years.
2. 先輩の仕事ぶりを見習いたいと思っている。 I want to follow the example set by how my senior colleague works.
3. 見習い期間が終わったらやっと正社員になれる。 Once the apprenticeship period is over, I can finally become a full-time employee.

Usage Guide

Context: work, crafts, training, daily life

Tone: respectful

Origin & History

From 見 (mi, to see/watch) + 習い (narai, learning/practice), the noun form of 見習う (to learn by watching). Reflects the traditional Japanese pedagogical approach of learning through careful observation of a master before attempting the work oneself.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal