和尚・和上|おしょうoshou[1]atamadaka (head-high)

1. noun, Buddhismpriestly teacher; preceptortrad. pronounced おしょう in Zen and Pure Land, かしょう in Tendai and Kegon, わじょう in Shingon, Hosso, Ritsu and Shin Buddhism
2. noun, Buddhismmonk (esp. the head monk of a temple); priest; head priest
   衣ころもばかりで和尚おしょうはできぬ。↗

   The robes do not make the monk.
3. noun, Buddhismsecond highest priestly rank in Buddhism
4. nounmaster (of one's art, trade, etc.)

• Synonym僧そうWrittenA monk; standing alone it appears mostly in compounds like 「高僧」. Written/formal prose; unlike 「和尚」, which in speech often refers to a temple's head priest.
• Synonym坊さんぼうさんCasualA friendly, colloquial way to say priest; more casual than 「和尚」, which in speech often refers to a temple's head priest.
• Synonymお坊さんおぼうさんCasualAn affectionate honorific for a priest and the most common everyday choice. Colloquial; unlike 「和尚」, which often refers to a temple's head priest.
• Related僧侶そうりょNeutralThe formal, neutral word for a Buddhist priest; it does not single out a head priest, unlike 「和尚」, which in speech often refers to a temple's head priest.
• Related大徳だいとくWrittenA revered, virtuous high priest; also a wealthy person. Written and archaic; unlike 「和尚」, which in speech often refers to a temple's head priest.
• Related御坊ごぼうWrittenAn honorific for a temple or a monk; old-fashioned and respectful. Unlike 「和尚」, which in speech often refers to a temple's head priest.
• Related入道にゅうどうNeutralSomeone who has entered Buddhist orders; also a bald-headed man or the bald monster 「大入道」. A word with many senses.
• Related僧都そうずWrittenA historical title for a priest-official ranking below 「僧正」; an old ecclesiastical rank that bears only a loose relation to 「和尚」.
• Related坊ぼうNeutralA monk, but also a small boy; on its own it usually means the boy. Unlike 「和尚」, which in speech often refers to a temple's head priest.
• Related坊様ぼんさまNeutralA monk, or a pampered young master; old-fashioned and now little used. Unlike 「和尚」, which in speech often refers to a temple's head priest.

Use 「和尚」 for a temple's head priest or a monk; it is common in speech, as in 「お寺の和尚さん」. Say 「僧侶」 in formal contexts, 「お坊さん」 when speaking affectionately, 「大徳」 for a revered high priest, and 「入道」 for someone who has entered Buddhist orders.

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

1. （ワジョウ・カショウ）師しである僧侶そうりょ。
2. （オショウ）僧侶そうりょ、お坊ぼうさん。