Japanese word

僧

Pronunciation

Romajisō

Meaning

  • nounmonk

Example

山の寺に僧が住んでいます。yama no tera ni sō ga su n de i ma su

A monk lives in a mountain temple.

Illustration for 僧 (monk)

More examples

若い僧たちは朝早くから寺の掃除をします。waka i sō ta chi wa asa haya ku ka ra tera no sō ji o shi ma su

The young monks clean the temple from early in the morning.

Core concept

Refers to a person who leaves ordinary household life to follow Buddhist practice within a monastic tradition.

Common phrases

  • 僧になるsō ni na ru

    become a monk

  • 僧の修行sō no shu gyō

    monastic training

Similar words

僧侶sōryo: A standard term for a person who follows Buddhist practice in a monastic tradition.
坊さんbōsan: A familiar term for a Buddhist religious practitioner, often used in everyday speech.

Definition in Japanese

仏教の修行をするために出家した人。buk kyō no shu gyō o su ru ta me ni shuk ke shi ta hito

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese word 僧 (sō, "monk") was borrowed from Chinese sēng, ultimately from Sanskrit saṃgha, "Buddhist community."

Usage tips

  • In historical writing and temple narratives, 僧 (sō) often serves as a compact formal label rather than a casual way to introduce a religious figure.

Other meanings

  • priestnoun

Opposites

  • 俗人zokujinlaypersonnoun

Word lists with this word