How to say "novice" in Japanese

• 駆け出しかけだしCommon
  no-adjectiveCovers someone in the very early stages of a career or trade, such as a young professional just starting out. It suggests inexperience within a line of work rather than general amateurism.
  駆け出かけだしの新聞しんぶん記者きしゃにしては腕うでがいい。↗

  You are doing well for a cub reporter.
• 素人しろうとJLPT N2approx.Common
  nounCovers the 'novice' sense in contrast to a professional or expert: someone who does an activity as an amateur or lacks specialist knowledge. It can also simply mean an ordinary layperson, so it is not always about skill level.
  あのシロウト歌手かしゅは文句もんくなくタレントショーで一いち位いとなった。↗

  The amateur singer won first in the talent show hands down.
• ひよこCommon
  nounCovers a greenhorn or rookie, with a colloquial, slightly playful or affectionate nuance. It is usually written in kana, and its cuteness makes it a lighthearted choice rather than a neutral or formal one.
  ルチアーノは大だい声援せいえんを背負せおって戦たたかえるかもしれないが、彼かれはまだヒヨコに過すぎない。↗

  Luciano might have the crowd behind him, but he's still wet behind the ears.
• 新米しんまいCommon
  no-adjectiveCovers someone new to a particular job, role, or activity, stressing their newcomer status; compare its literal use for freshly harvested rice. Suitable for phrases like a novice teacher or policeman.
  新米しんまいのくせに大おおきな顔かおをするな。↗

  Act your place.
• １年生いちねんせいCommon
  nounCovers a beginner or newcomer, literally a first-year student. Its gloss includes a person who has been in a role for less than a year, so it is used metaphorically for recent entrants to a job or position.

All five cover the 'inexperienced person' sense; choose by nuance—素人 stresses not being a professional, 新米 and 一年生 recency in a role, 「駆け出し」 early career, and 「ひよこ」 a playful, colloquial tone.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 駆け出しかけだしnovice
• 素人しろうとamateur
• へなちょこnovice
• 青二才あおにさいgreen youth
• 藤四郎とうしろamateur
• 今道心いまどうしんneophyte
• 若輩者じゃくはいものinexperienced person
• 新参者しんざんものnewcomer
• 未熟者みじゅくものinexperienced person
• 駆け出し者かけだしものbeginner
• 初級者しょきゅうしゃbeginner
• 小僧っ子こぞっこbrat
• 入門者にゅうもんしゃbeginner
• ひよこgreenhorn
• 新米しんまいnovice
• 一年生いちねんせいbeginner
• 平ひらlow-ranking employee
• 若輩じゃくはいgreenhorn
• ぴーぴーbeginner