上人|しょうにんshounin[1]atamadaka (head-high)

1. noun, Buddhismhigh priest; virtuous monk; holy man
2. suffix, Buddhismreverend; venerable

• Related大師だいしFormalFormal honorific for buddhas and bodhisattvas, or a posthumous title the court granted eminent monks, especially 「弘法大師」; 「上人」 is an honorific for monks.
• Related尊者そんじゃFormalFormal honorific for Buddha's disciples and eminent monks, or a person of high standing; 「上人」 covers virtuous high priests and monks generally, often as a suffix.
• Antonym凡夫ぼんぷWrittenWritten Buddhist term for an ordinary, unenlightened person bound by earthly desires — the opposite of 「上人」.

Use 「上人」 for a virtuous high priest or as an honorific for monks, as in 「親鸞上人」. Use 「大師」 for a posthumous court title or an honorific for buddhas and bodhisattvas. Use 「凡夫」 for an ordinary, unenlightened person.

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

1. （しょうにん）学徳がくとくのある高僧こうそう。
2. （しょうにん）僧侶そうりょの敬称けいしょう。
3. （しょうにん）太鼓持たいこもち。