Translation guide
How to express the act of becoming a Buddhist monk or priest in Japanese, with attention to the specific ceremony, context, and level of formality.
To express the act of becoming a Buddhist monk or priest in a general sense.
The most common and general term for leaving secular life to become a Buddhist monk or nun. It can be used as a noun or a suru-verb (出家する).
彼は若い頃に出家した。
He entered the priesthood when he was young.
出家の理由は人それぞれだ。
The reasons for entering the priesthood vary from person to person.
Literally 'to become a monk'. A straightforward and natural way to express entering the priesthood, though slightly less formal than 出家.
彼は僧になるために修行している。
He is training to become a monk.
Literally 'to enter the Buddha's gate'. A more literary or formal expression for entering the Buddhist priesthood.
彼は悩みの末、仏門に入ることを決意した。
After much anguish, he decided to enter the priesthood.
To refer specifically to the formal ceremony of becoming a priest, often involving precepts.
Refers to the ordination ceremony where one formally becomes a Buddhist monk or nun by receiving the precepts. Often used in formal or religious contexts.
彼は来月、得度を受ける予定だ。
He is scheduled to receive ordination next month.
To receive the Buddhist precepts, which is a key part of ordination. Can be used to describe the act of formally becoming a monk.
彼は師僧から受戒した。
He received the precepts from his master.
To express entering the priesthood within a particular Buddhist sect or temple.
Pattern meaning 'to enter the gate of ~', used for joining a specific temple, sect, or school. Replace 〜 with the name of the sect or temple.
彼は禅寺に入門した。
He entered a Zen temple (as a disciple).
Literally 'to knock on the gate of ~'. A figurative expression for seeking to enter a temple or become a disciple of a particular master.
彼は高僧の門を叩いた。
He sought to become a disciple of a high priest.
To emphasize the aspect of renouncing the secular world to enter religious life.
Literally 'to abandon the secular world'. Used when the focus is on renunciation of worldly life.
彼は世俗を捨てて出家した。
He renounced the world and entered the priesthood.
A more literary way to say 'renounce the world'. Often used in classical or poetic contexts.
世を捨てて山にこもる。
To renounce the world and seclude oneself in the mountains.
出家 (shukke) is the general act of leaving home to become a monk, while 得度 (tokudo) specifically refers to the ordination ceremony where one formally receives the precepts. 出家 can be used for the entire process, but 得度 is the formal ritual.
出家した後、得度を受けた。
After leaving home to become a monk, he received ordination.
These terms are specifically for Buddhism. For entering the Christian priesthood, use 司祭になる (shisai ni naru) or 聖職者になる (seishokusha ni naru). For other religions, use general terms like 聖職者になる.