門前の小僧

Reading

Kana: もんぜんのこぞう

Romaji: monzennokozou

Definition

exp

1

you learn, without realising it, from what is around you; a young monk outside the gate (can read sutras he has never studied)

Note: idiomatic expression; abbreviation

See also: 門前の小僧習わぬ経を読む (reading もんぜんのこぞうならわぬきょうをよむ)

Kanji

門

Readings: モン、 かど、 と

Meanings: gate, counter for cannons

前

Readings: ゼン、 まえ、 -まえ

Meanings: in front, before

小

Readings: ショウ、 ちい.さい、 こ-、 お-、 さ-

Meanings: little, small

僧

Reading: ソウ

Meanings: Buddhist priest, monk