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On'yomi
ソウ
SOU

Buddhist priest · monk

Details

Strokes13
Frequency#1724
Radicalperson(2)

Stroke Order

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Strokes13

Component Breakdown

=

person + 曾

Cultural Context

Etymology

Composed of person and once. Person from past.

Symbolism

Monk, monastery, priesthood. Represents monk.

Words & Expressions

Four-Character Compounds

腕白小僧

わんぱくこぞう

naughty boy; mischievous boy; little rascal; naughty boy

Proverbs & Idioms

坊主憎けりゃ袈裟まで憎い

ぼうずにくけりゃけさまでにくい

Hate the monk, hate his robe

Hatred extends to everything associated with someone

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 僧 mean in Japanese?

僧 means Buddhist priest, monk.

How do you read 僧?

On'yomi: ソウ (SOU).

How many strokes does 僧 have?

僧 has 13 strokes. Its radical is 人 (person).

Is 僧 a good kanji for a tattoo?

Yes. 僧 (Buddhist priest, monk) has a clear positive meaning and no embarrassing alternate readings, making it a solid tattoo choice.