1.
Buddhist monk; priest
A Buddhist monk or priest, traditionally with a shaved head.
坊主がお経を読んでいる。
The monk is reciting a sutra.
2.
shaved head; buzz cut
A closely shaved or very short hairstyle, resembling a monk's head.
頭を剃って坊主にした。
I shaved my head.
夏は坊主頭が涼しい。
A shaved head is cool in summer.
3.
boy; kid
Colloquial term for a young boy, often used affectionately.
坊主 has multiple meanings depending on context. The hairstyle meaning (sense 2) is the most common in everyday conversation.
WORD FORMATION:
坊 (Buddhist temple) + 主 (master). Originally meant the head of a temple.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 坊主頭: shaved head, buzz cut
- 坊主にする: to shave one's head
- 坊主刈り: crew cut, buzz cut
IDIOM:
- 三日���主: someone who can't stick to anything (lit. "three-day monk" — one who enters a temple but gives up after three days)
NUANCE:
When referring to Buddhist monks (sense 1), 坊�� is casual and can be slightly disrespectful. More polite terms are お坊さん or 僧侶 (formal).
Sense 3 (boy/kid) is often used affectionately by older people: 坊主、元気か？ (Hey kid, how are you?)