noun
Historically a neutral term for agricultural workers, but now often considered sensitive or derogatory. In modern contexts, 農家 (のうか) or 農業従事者 (のうぎょうじゅうじしゃ) are preferred for neutral reference.
昔、百姓は重い年貢に苦しんでいた。
In the past, peasants suffered under heavy land taxes.
彼は百姓の生まれだが、今は会社を経営している。
He was born into a farming family, but now runs a company.
noun
Refers to the occupation or activity of farming itself, often used in compound expressions like 百姓仕事 (ひゃくしょうしごと, farm work).
百姓仕事は朝早くから始まる。
Farm work starts early in the morning.
noun
Derogatory term for an unsophisticated person from the countryside. Strongly pejorative; avoid in polite conversation.
都会の人に百姓扱いされて腹が立った。
I got angry when city people treated me like a country bumpkin.
noun
Archaic usage referring to ordinary people, distinct from the nobility or ruling class. Now largely obsolete; the reading ひゃくせい is sometimes used for this sense.
See also: 百姓 (ひゃくせい)
江戸時代、百姓は武士と明確に区別されていた。
In the Edo period, commoners were clearly distinguished from the samurai.