noun, na-adjective
vulgar person; low-life; sleazebag; boor
Strongly derogatory term for a person of low character, crude behavior, or contemptible nature. Often used as an insult.
あんな下種の言うことなんか気にするな。
Don't worry about what a sleazebag like that says.
彼は下種な態度で周りを不快にさせた。
His vulgar attitude made everyone around him uncomfortable.
noun
lowly person; person of humble rank; peasant; churl
Archaic term for a person of low social status or humble birth. Not used in modern Japanese outside historical contexts.
江戸時代の文献では、下種は身分の低い者を指した。
In Edo-period documents, 下種 referred to a person of low social standing.
Kana spelling is common in informal writing.
The kanji 下 (low) and 種/衆/司 (seed/multitude/office) combine to suggest a person of low origin or character. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the word has been used since the Edo period to denote low social status and later evolved into a general insult.