Bōzu
/ˈboːzɯ/noun
A Japanese Buddhist priest, especially one traditionally recognized by a shaved head.
Did you know?The English word “bonze” is a historical borrowing of Japanese bōzu, transmitted through Portuguese bonzo by early European travelers in Asia.
Etymological Timeline
Classical Chinese
Chinese
坊主
“Master of a ward, quarter, or monastic residence”
Early Japanese
Japanese
坊主 (bōzu)
“A Buddhist monk or the head of a temple residence”
Medieval Japan
Japanese
bōzu
“Buddhist priest; also, by association with monastic tonsure, a bald-headed person”
16th Century
Portuguese
bonzo
“A Buddhist priest, borrowed from Japanese bōzu”
17th Century
English
bonze
“A Buddhist priest, especially in descriptions of East Asian religions”
Modern English
English
bōzu
“A Japanese Buddhist priest; the romanized Japanese form is used in specialist or cultural contexts”
Explore more surprising origins