This site will be taken down March 31st, 2026.

This was not an easy decision to make. For the last couple years, I have been struggling to find motivation for this site and to keep up with basic maintenance and security updates. With the rise of AI and more sophisticated tools, the usefulness of sites like this is questionable and traffic has nose-dived. I just don't have it in me to keep doing this. Thank you all for 10 years of support!

Zach

素人

Readings

Kana: しろうと、しろと、しらびと
Romaji: shirouto, shiroto, shirabito
Kana
Romaji

Definitions

1

amateur; layman; ordinary person; novice

2

respectable woman (not a prostitute, hostess, geisha, etc.)

See also: 玄人 (reading くろうと, entry #2)
3

unlicensed prostitute

(Kyoto-ben)
Note: archaism
See also: 私娼

Kanji

Readings: ソ、 ス、 もと
Meanings: elementary, principle, naked, uncovered
Readings: ジン、 ニン、 ひと、 -り、 -と
Meaning: person

Example Sentences

それは素人(しろうと)(かんが)えだ。
➥That's a layman's idea.
Full Entry➤
その協会(きょうかい)設立(せつりつ)以来(いらい)素人(しろうと)入会(にゅうかい)(ことわ)ってきた。
➥The association has excluded amateurs ever since its foundation.
Full Entry➤
あのシロウト歌手(かしゅ)文句(もんく)なくタレントショーで(いち)()となった。
➥The amateur singer won first in the talent show hands down.
Full Entry➤
法律(ほうりつ)用語(ようご)大半(たいはん)素人(しろうと)にはわかりにくい。
➥Much legal language is obscure to a layman.
Full Entry➤
(かれ)はしろうとの庭師(にわし)だが、(かれ)(そだ)てる(はな)(うつく)しい。
➥He is an amateur gardener, but his flowers are beautiful.
Full Entry➤
研究(けんきゅう)というほどでも・・・素人(しろうと)道楽(どうらく)ですよ、おはずかしい。
➥It can hardly be called research... just an amateur's hobby, I'm ashamed to say.
Full Entry➤
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