JLPT · Level 50
45 words
Japanese word
坊さん
Pronunciation
Romajibōsan
Meaning
- nounmonk
Example
お寺の坊さんは親切です。o tera no bō sa n wa shin setsu de su
The monk at the temple is kind.
More examples
子どもたちは坊さんの話を静かに聞きました。ko do mo ta chi wa bō sa n no hanashi o shizu ka ni ki ki ma shi ta
The children listened quietly to the monk's talk.
Core concept
Refers to a Buddhist religious practitioner through the familiar, everyday role of serving a temple community.
Common phrases
坊さんの話bō sa n no hanashi
a monk's talk
坊さんに相談するbō sa n ni sō dan su ru
consult a monk
Similar words
僧侶sōryo: A Buddhist clergy member who follows religious teachings and practices.
僧sō: A person who has entered Buddhist religious life.
Definition in Japanese
仏教の寺に属し、修行や法事などを行う僧侶。buk kyō no tera ni zoku shi shu gyō ya hō ji na do o okona u sō ryo
Word origin
坊さん (bōsan) is formed from 坊 (bō, "a Buddhist monk's quarters") and さん (san, "a respectful honorific"), creating a familiar term for a Buddhist priest.
Usage tips
- In everyday speech, 坊さん (bōsan) is a familiar respectful term, while 僧侶 (sōryo) is common in formal descriptions of Buddhist clergy.
Other meanings
- Buddhist priestnoun