How to say "monk" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 僧そうnounThe plain, neutral word for a monk or priest, common in writing and news reports. It covers Buddhism generally without any respectful or familiar coloring, so it suits factual, descriptive contexts.
- 僧侶そうりょnounAlso a neutral term for a priest or monk, slightly more formal in flavor. Common in writing and discussion of religion; a safe choice when you want a somewhat learned word for a Buddhist cleric.
- 坊さんぼうさんnounA familiar, respectful way to refer to a Buddhist priest or monk in everyday conversation. It carries a warm, colloial tone compared with 僧 or 僧侶, and fits casual talk about the local temple priest.
- お坊さんおぼうさんnounThe honorific-prefixed everyday word for a Buddhist priest or monk. Familiar and polite, it is the natural choice in friendly conversation when speaking respectfully about a priest, as in talking about your neighborhood temple.
- 和尚おしょうnounA monk or priest, but especially the head monk of a temple; it also means head priest. Use it when the person leads a temple rather than for an ordinary monk, for whom 僧 or お坊さん is usually the better fit.衣ばかりで和尚はできぬ。↗The robes do not make the monk.
Use 僧 or 僧侶 for a monk in neutral or written contexts, 「お坊さん」/「坊さん」 in everyday polite speech, and 和尚 when referring to the head monk of a temple.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
- 僧そうmonk
- 僧侶そうりょpriest
- 坊さんぼうさんBuddhist priest
- お坊さんおぼうさんBuddhist priest
- 坊ぼうbonze
- 入道にゅうどうentering the priesthood
- 禅師ぜんじmonk
- モンクmonk
- 桑門そうもんmonk
- 修道士しゅうどうしmonk
- お寺様おてらさまmonk
- 梵僧ぼんそうmonk (esp. one who maintains his purity)
- 修道僧しゅうどうそうmonk
- 修道者しゅうどうしゃmonk
- 坊様ぼんさまmonk
- お寺さんおてらさんmonk
- 和尚おしょうmonk (esp. the head monk of a temple)
- 出家しゅっけpriest
- 房ぼうhome of a monk
- 御坊ごぼうmonk
- 味噌すりみそすりmonk
- 聖ひじりmonk
- お寺おてらmonk
See also
This browser can't play pronunciations (needs Safari 18.4 or later, or Chrome / Edge / Firefox).
