坊主・房主|ぼうずbouzu[1]atamadaka (head-high)
ぼんずbonzu
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Which spelling to use
坊主坊主 is the common form and the recommended choice for learners; use it when writing this word.
房主房主 is a rarely used kanji variant of 坊主, so learners will seldom need to write it.
Definitions
- nounBuddhist priest; bonzeぼんず is dialectal
- nounclose-cropped hair; crew cut; person with a shorn head
- nounboy; sonny; lad
- noun, fishingnot catching anything; getting skunked
- noun, hanafudathe August 20-point card
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym坊さんぼうさんNeutralA friendly, affectionate term for a monk, as in 「坊さんが読経する」; 「坊主」 is rougher and also means a shaved head or a boy.
- Synonymお坊さんおぼうさんNeutralThe polite, everyday way to refer to a monk, as in 「お坊さんを呼ぶ」; 「坊主」 is casual and can even sound contemptuous.
- Synonym坊様ぼんさまFormalA formal, honorific term for a monk or a pampered little boy, with an old-fashioned ring; 「坊主」 is much more casual.
- Related小僧こぞうCasualColloquial for a young monk, an apprentice or errand boy, or a young brat; 「坊主」 also covers shaved heads and adult monks.
Use 「坊主」 casually for a monk, a shaved head, or a boy, as in 「坊主頭」「うちの坊主」. For politeness say 「お坊さん」, for warmth 「坊さん」, and for a young monk or errand boy 「小僧」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
See also


