How to Say "Buddhist" in Japanese

仏教徒

bukkyōto[bɯ̟k̚ʲkʲo̞ːto̞]

The English phrase 'buddhist' is translated into Japanese as 仏教徒 (bukkyōto).

仏教徒 is a noun used to describe a follower of Buddha.

Meaning: follower of Buddha (noun)

What does it mean word for word?

The word is composed of 仏教 (bukkyō), meaning 'Buddhism' and 徒 (to), meaning 'follower' or 'disciple'.

仏教徒 is a noun that does not change its form for pluralization. The context of the sentence determines if it refers to one or many Buddhists.

bukkyōto

In Japan, the concept of being a 仏教徒 is often tied to 'danka' systems, where families are registered with a specific local temple for generations rather than through a personal spiritual conversion.
The word 仏 (butsu) is used in the Japanese phrase 仏のような (butsu no yō na) to describe someone who is incredibly kind or saintly, regardless of whether they are actually a 仏教徒.
In Japan, many people practice Buddhist rituals, such as many funeral traditions, without identifying as a 仏教徒 in their daily lives.

彼は仏教徒です。
He is a Buddhist.
仏教徒の人は、仏陀の教えに従って生きています。
Buddhists follow the teachings of Buddha in their lives.
あのお坊さんはとても敬虔な人です。
That monk is a very devout person.
仏教徒としての考え方を知りたい。
Bukkyōto to shite no kangaekata o shiritai.
I want to know the way of thinking as a Buddhist.
彼女は熱心な仏教徒です。
Kanojo wa nesshin na bukkyōto desu.
She is a devout Buddhist.

Kenta and Himari are talking about their beliefs.

健太 Kenta

陽葵さんは仏教徒ですか？
Himari-san wa bukkyōto desu ka?
Are you a Buddhist, Himari?
陽葵 Himari

はい、私は仏教徒です。
Hai, watashi wa bukkyōto desu.
Yes, I am a Buddhist.
健太 Kenta

そうなんですね。勉強になります。
Sō nan desu ne. Benkyō ni narimasu.
I see. That is interesting to learn.
陽葵 Himari

いつでも聞いてくださいね。
Itsudemo kiite kudasai ne.
Please ask me anytime.

Sources

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