noun
Obsolete term for India, used historically in Buddhist contexts. Modern Japanese uses インド.
昔、天竺は仏教の聖地として知られていた。
Long ago, Tenjiku was known as the holy land of Buddhism.
noun
cotton sheeting (abbreviation)
Abbreviation of 天竺木綿 (てんじくもめん), a type of cotton sheeting. Rare standalone use.
See also: 天竺木綿
「天竺」は天竺木綿の略称として使われることがある。
Tenjiku is sometimes used as an abbreviation for tenjiku-momen (cotton sheeting).
noun, used as a prefix
Prefix-like use meaning foreign or imported, often in historical or product names.
天竺更紗は江戸時代に人気があった。
Tenjiku-sarasa (imported chintz) was popular in the Edo period.
noun, used as a prefix
ultra-spicy; extra hot
Prefix-like use for extremely spicy food, especially in modern ramen or curry contexts.
天竺ラーメンは激辛好きに人気だ。
Tenjiku ramen is popular with those who love super spicy food.
From Chinese 天竺 (Tiānzhú), an old name for India, possibly derived from a Central Asian language. The exact origin is uncertain.