司祭
shisai
The English word priest is translated into Japanese using several different terms depending on the religious context. The default form is 司祭 (shisai). Wiktionary also lists 牧師 (bokushi) and 僧 (sō).
Meaning: clergyman (clergywoman, clergyperson) (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 司祭 | shisai | |
| 牧師 | bokushi | [bo̞kɯ̟ɕi] (narrow) |
| 僧 | sō | [so̞ː] (narrow) |
| 法師 | hōshi | [ho̞ːɕi] (narrow) |
| 祭司 | saishi | [sa̠iɕi] (narrow) |
| 神父 | shinpu | [ɕĩmpɯ̟] (narrow) |
| 聖職者 | seishokusha | [se̞ːɕo̞kɯ̟̊ɕa̠] (narrow) |
Which one should you use?
The choice of word depends entirely on the specific religious affiliation or historical context: * 神父 (shinpu) refers specifically to a Catholic priest. * 牧師 (bokushi) refers specifically to a Protestant minister. * 僧 (sō) refers specifically to a Buddhist monk. * 祭司 (saishi) is used for priests of ancient, mythological or pagan religions. * 聖職者 (seishokusha) is a general term meaning clergyman, clergy or any person in holy orders.
How do you pronounce it?
shisai
Did you know?
- The term 僧 is actually a shortened version of 僧伽, a word borrowed from the Sanskrit word 'saṃgha' which refers to a monastic community.
- The term 神父 for a Catholic priest literally translates to 'divine father'.
- In Japan, 僧 can refer to a Buddhist monk who may be married and have a family, unlike the celibacy required for 神父.
Examples in context
- トムは司祭だ。Tom is a priest.This sentence shows how to identify someone's profession using 司祭.Tatoeba #4900020 by huizi99, translation #1494871 by Spamster
- 司祭は幸せな二人の結婚を祝福した。The priest blessed the marriage of the happy couple.This sentence illustrates a priest performing a blessing using 司祭.Tatoeba #168979 by bunbuku, translation #245508 by CK
- その僧は子供達の遊びに仲間入りした。The priest participated in the children's games.This sentence shows a monk participating in an activity using 僧.Tatoeba #236877 by mookeee, translation #45633 by CK
- お寺に行くと、坊主さんがいらっしゃいます。When you go to the temple, there is a priest.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A young man and woman are visiting an old cathedral.
- 大翔 Hirotoあそこにいるのは司祭ですか？Asoko ni iru no wa shisai desu ka?Is that person over there a priest?
- 美咲 Misakiはい、司祭のようです。Hai, shisai no you desu.Yes, he seems to be a priest.
- 大翔 Hirotoとても厳かな雰囲気ですね。Totemo ogosaka na fun'iki desu ne.It has a very solemn atmosphere.
- 美咲 Misaki大翔さんもそう思いますか？Hiroto-san mo sou omoimasu ka?Do you think so too, Hiroto?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “priest” translations and entries 司祭, 牧師, 僧, 法師, 祭司, 神父, 聖職者, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 僧, 法師, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
