noun
Refers to a subordinate member of a gang, yakuza group, or similar hierarchical organization. Often contrasted with 親分 (boss).
See also: 手下
彼はヤクザの親分に忠実な子分だ。
He is a loyal henchman to the yakuza boss.
子分たちは親分の命令
noun
Only when written 子分
Archaic meaning; in historical contexts, 子分 could refer to an adopted child, but this usage is no longer current.
江戸時代の文献では、子分が養子を意味することがある。
In Edo-period documents, 子分 can mean an adopted child.
The underlings obeyed the boss's orders.
Compound of 子 (child) and 分 (portion, part), originally referring to a child's share or status, later extended to mean a subordinate member of a group.