noun
apprentice; shop boy
Historical term for a young live-in apprentice in a merchant or artisan household, common in the Edo period. In modern contexts, it may be used figuratively or in historical descriptions.
See also: 弟子 (でし)
江戸時代、商家の丁稚は朝早くから夜遅くまで働いた。
In the Edo period, shop apprentices worked from early morning until late at night.
彼は丁稚からたたき上げ
He worked his way up from an apprentice and was finally allowed to start his own branch.
弟子 is a general term for a disciple or pupil, often in arts, crafts, or religion, while 丁稚 specifically refers to a young live-in apprentice in a merchant or artisan household, carrying a stronger historical and class connotation.
The exact derivation is uncertain. The kanji 丁 (adult, helper) and 稚 (young, immature) suggest a young helper, fitting the historical role.