noun
Archaic term for a child or children, not used in modern Japanese.
昔話では、わらわべが森で迷子になる場面がよくある。
In old tales, there are often scenes where a child gets lost in the forest.
noun
child servant; temple page
Historical term for a child employed as a servant or page, especially in a temple.
寺のわらわべが掃除をしている。
The temple page is cleaning.
noun
Humble, archaic term used by a man to refer to his own wife, implying she is young or child-like.
わらわべがいつも世話をしてくれる。
My young wife always takes care of me.
noun
young slacker
Archaic term for a young person who has not yet reached adulthood and is seen as idle or irresponsible.
あのわらわべはまだ一人前の仕事ができない。
That young slacker still cannot do a proper job.