Translation guide
Describes someone who is inexperienced, immature, or new to a situation. Japanese uses various expressions related to youth, newness, or lack of experience.
To say someone is inexperienced or new to something, often with a nuance of being naive or not yet fully capable.
Literally 'experience is shallow.' A straightforward, neutral way to say someone lacks experience.
彼はまだ経験が浅いから、もう少し指導が必要だ。
He's still wet behind the ears, so he needs a bit more guidance.
Emphasizing youth combined with inexperience, often implying a lack of worldly wisdom.
経験が浅い focuses on lack of experience, while 未熟 implies a lack of skill or maturity. 未熟 can sound more critical.
経験が浅いのは仕方ないが、未熟な態度は直してほしい。
Being wet behind the ears can't be helped, but I want you to fix your immature attitude.
There is no direct equivalent of 'wet behind the ears' in common Japanese. Using a literal translation like 耳の後ろが濡れている would be nonsensical. Use the expressions above instead.
Means 'immature' or 'unskilled.' Often used for someone who hasn't fully developed their abilities.
未熟な新人に大事な仕事を任せるのは不安だ。
I'm uneasy about entrusting an important task to a wet-behind-the-ears newcomer.
Literally 'new rice,' meaning a novice or rookie. Casual and commonly used in workplace contexts.
新米の店員がレジでまごついていた。
The wet-behind-the-ears clerk was fumbling at the register.
Refers to someone who has just started out in a profession or activity; a beginner or fledgling.
駆け出しの記者がスクープを取った。
A wet-behind-the-ears reporter got the scoop.
Literally 'green two-year-old,' a somewhat old-fashioned or literary term for a callow youth. Can sound condescending.
あの青二才に何がわかるというんだ。
What does that wet-behind-the-ears kid know?
A humble or formal term meaning 'young and inexperienced.' Often used self-deprecatingly.
若輩者ですが、よろしくお願いします。
I'm still wet behind the ears, but I look forward to working with you.
Literally 'immature person.' Similar to 未熟 but as a noun. Can be used humbly or critically.
未熟者の私には荷が重すぎます。
This is too much responsibility for someone as wet behind the ears as me.
Literally 'beak is yellow,' an idiom directly analogous to 'wet behind the ears,' referring to a fledgling bird. Somewhat dated or literary.
まだくちばしが黄色い若造が生意気だ。
That wet-behind-the-ears youngster is impertinent.