also: わかいしゅう
noun
A somewhat old-fashioned or regional term for a young man, often used in traditional or rural contexts. Can carry a nuance of a junior member of a group.
村の若い衆が祭りの準備を手伝った。
The young men of the village helped prepare for the festival.
あの若
That young lad works hard, doesn't he?
noun
servant boy; young shopboy; apprentice
Historical or traditional term for a young male servant or apprentice in a shop, inn, or similar establishment. Not used in modern standard Japanese for regular employees.
江戸時代の商家では、若い衆が丁稚として働いていた。
In merchant houses of the Edo period, young servant boys worked as apprentices.
Compound of 若い (wakai, 'young') and 衆 (shū, 'group of people'). The reading わかいしゅう is an older or dialectal variant.