住職
The English phrase "chief priest" is translated into Japanese as 住職.
The term 住職 is used specifically to refer to the head priest of a Buddhist temple.
Did you know?
- While 住職 is used for Buddhist temples, a Shinto shrine head is typically called a 宮司 'guuji'. Using 住職 for a Shinto priest would be a significant category error in Japan.
- The role of 住職 is often hereditary, passed down through families, making the temple a lineage-based institution.
- The term 住職 is composed of two kanji: 住, meaning 'to dwell', and 職, meaning 'office' or 'duty'.
Examples in context
- 山本和尚Oshō (Chief Priest) Yamamoto
- 田村宮司Guji (Chief Priest) Tamura
- 佐藤宮司Gūji (Chief Priest) Satō
- 彼はこのお寺の住職です。Kare wa kono otera no jūshoku desu.He is the chief priest of this temple.
- 住職に相談してみましょう。Jūshoku ni sōdan shite mimashō.Let's try consulting the chief priest.
- 新しい住職が就任しました。Atarashii jūshoku ga shūnin shimashita.A new chief priest has taken office.
Example conversation
Two people are visiting a local temple.
- 陽太 Yotaあの方は住職の方ですか？Ano kata wa jūshoku no kata desu ka?Is that person the chief priest?
- 美咲 Misakiはい、そうです。Hai, sō desu.Yes, that is right.
- 陽太 Yotaとても優しそうな方ですね。Totemo yasashisō na kata desu ne.He looks like a very kind person.
- 美咲 Misaki陽太さんもそう思いますか？Yōta-san mo sō omoimasu ka?Do you think so too, Yota?
