あま・尼ama[1]atamadaka (head-high)

1. nounBuddhist nun
2. nounCatholic nun; sister
3. nounbitchusu. written as アマ; also as 阿魔
4. nounAmagasaki (city in Hyogo Prefecture)abbr. of 尼崎
5. nounAmazon (online retailer)

• Synonym尼僧にそうWrittenA written-style word for a nun, Buddhist or Christian; more formal than 「尼」, which is the colloquial everyday choice and can also double as a slur against women.
• Synonym修道女しゅうどうじょNeutralSpecifically a Christian (Catholic) nun; not used for Buddhist nuns. 「尼」 mainly means a woman who has left home in Buddhism, but broadly it can cover sisters too.
• Synonym尼法師あまほうしWrittenAn old literary word for a Buddhist nun; rarely used in modern Japanese, so 「尼」 is the natural choice in everyday speech.
• Synonym修道尼しゅうどうにWrittenA written-style word for a woman living under religious vows in a convent; very close in meaning to 「修道女」.
• Antonym僧そうWrittenThe male counterpart, often paired with 「尼」; originally not gender-specific, but set against 「尼」 it points to a male monk, while 「尼」 is only for women.

Use 「尼」 for a woman who has entered religious life, as in 「尼になる」; it can also be a derogatory word for a woman. In formal prose prefer 「尼僧」; for Christian nuns say 「修道女」. The male counterpart is 「僧」.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. （あま）女性じょせいの出家しゅっけした僧侶そうりょ。比丘尼びくに。
2. （あま）語義ごぎ1より、仏教ぶっきょうに限かぎらず、修道しゅうどう女おんななど、ある宗教しゅうきょうで職業的しょくぎょうてきに宗教しゅうきょう活動かつどうをしている女性じょせい。
3. インドネシアを意味いみする語ごを作つくる。