• 学者がくしゃ — scholar
• 読者どくしゃ — reader
• 記者きしゃ — reporter
• 作者さくしゃ — creator / author
• 患者かんじゃ — patient
• 若者わかもの — young person
• 忍者にんじゃ — ninja

者 means “person” or “individual” and is often used as a suffix to refer to someone performing an action — like 読者 (reader) or 学者 (scholar). It combines elements that once symbolized an altar and fire, implying a meaningful or active being. In modern usage, it’s neutral and functional — like saying “-er” in English.