後輩（こうはい、kouhai）
- junior

The Japanese word 後輩後輩 (こうはい) refers to a person who is junior to you in terms of their experience, age, or rank within a group or organization. It is the opposite of a senior person, or 先輩. ⚫︎It's a very common term used in schools, workplaces, clubs, and any other environment where there is a hierarchical structure. ⚫︎It denotes a relationship of seniority and respect.

⚫︎山田さんは私の会社の後輩です。 Translation: Yamada-san is my junior colleague at the company. ⚫︎私は大学で田中さんの後輩です。 Translation: I am Tanaka-san's junior at university. ⚫︎彼はサッカー部の後輩にアドバイスをしました。 Translation: He gave advice to his juniors in the soccer club.

⚫︎You use 後輩後輩 when referring to someone who is your junior. ⚫︎The level of formality when addressing a 後輩 can vary depending on your relationship with them and the context. You would typically use more polite language (keigo) when speaking to someone of higher status, even if they are your 後輩. ⚫︎It's common to use the person's name or title + 後輩後輩, such as 田中後輩さん (Tanaka-kohai-san - Tanaka, the junior). ⚫︎You wouldn’t typically call someone 後輩後輩 directly to their face, instead use their name or title.

⚫︎後輩後輩 is written with the kanji 後 (go - after, later) and 輩 (hai - companion, colleague). ⚫︎The reading is こうはい in hiragana. ⚫︎There are no variations in okurigana. ⚫︎It is almost always written with kanji.

⚫︎The word 部下 (ぶか - subordinate) can be used in a workplace context. ⚫︎While not a direct synonym, words like 新入社員 (しんにゅうしゃいん - new employee) can describe someone who is a 後輩後輩.

⚫︎The direct antonym is 先輩 (せんぱい - senior, superior). ⚫︎Other antonyms could include words related to superiors, such as 上司 (じょうし - superior, boss).

私は去年、入社した後輩に、仕事のやり方を教えました。 ・Translation: I taught the junior employee who joined the company last year how to do the job. ・Explanation: This sentence uses 後輩後輩 to refer to someone who is new to the company and therefore junior to the speaker.

彼は後輩たちの面倒をよく見ています。 ・Translation: He takes good care of his juniors. ・Explanation: This sentence describes someone who takes responsibility for helping and guiding those who are 後輩後輩.

⚫︎後 means "after" or "later," and it indicates that the person came after you in terms of experience, time, or rank. ⚫︎輩 refers to "a group of people" or "a company." ⚫︎Together, the words mean "those who came later" or "juniors."