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This site will be taken down March 31st, 2026.

This was not an easy decision to make. For the last couple years, I have been struggling to find motivation for this site and to keep up with basic maintenance and security updates. With the rise of AI and more sophisticated tools, the usefulness of sites like this is questionable and traffic has nose-dived. I just don't have it in me to keep doing this. Thank you all for 10 years of support!

Zach

お坊さん

御坊さん

Reading

Kana: おぼうさん
Romaji: obousan
Kana
Romaji

Definitions

noun
1

Buddhist priest; monk

Note: familiar language; honorific or respectful (sonkeigo) language
See also: 坊さん
2

son (of others)

Note: familiar language; honorific or respectful (sonkeigo) language
See also: お坊っちゃん (reading おぼっちゃん, entry #1)

Kanji

坊
Readings: ボウ、 ボッ
Meanings: boy, priest's residence, priest
御
Readings: ギョ、 ゴ、 おん-、 お-、 み-
Meanings: honorable, manipulate, govern

Example Sentence

お坊(ぼう)さんが突然(とつぜん)大声(おおごえ)で笑(わら)い出(だ)し、厳粛(げんしゅく)な雰囲気(ふんいき)を台無(だいな)しにした。
➥All at once, the Buddhist priest burst into laughter, spoiling the solemn atmosphere.
Full Entry➤