buddha

IPA/ˈbʊdə/
KK[bˈudə]IPA/ˈbuːdə/

buddha — noun

  • buddhasingular
  • buddhasplural

1. the title used for Siddhartha Gautama, whose teaching became the basis of Buddhi

1.名詞B2
釋義

the title used for Siddhartha Gautama, whose teaching became the basis of Buddhism

例句

The guide said the Buddha began teaching after years of deep meditation.

the Buddha + began teaching

Sari read a children's book about the Buddha under a mango tree.

about the Buddha

同義詞

文法句型

the Buddha

the Buddha's teachings

about the Buddha

用法筆記

Usually written with a capital letter and most often used with the article 'the' when referring to Siddhartha Gautama. Distinguish this sense from sense 2, which names a statue or image, and sense 3, which refers to any fully enlightened being in Buddhist belief.

常見錯誤

❌Buddha is the religion followed by my grandparents.
✅Buddhism is the religion followed by my grandparents.
💡'Buddha' names the person or title; 'Buddhism' names the religion.
❌There were stories about a buddha in the textbook.
✅There were stories about the Buddha in the textbook.
💡This sense usually refers to the historical figure or title, so it is commonly capitalized and used with 'the'.

2. a picture or statue that shows the Buddha

2.名詞B2
釋義

a picture or statue that shows the Buddha

例句

Noor placed a small buddha on the shelf beside her travel books.

a small buddha + on the shelf

A bronze buddha stood near the temple gate, covered with rain.

material adjective + buddha

同義詞
  • statue

    a general word for a carved or cast figure, not necessarily religious

  • figure

    broader and less specific; can describe many kinds of shaped object

  • idol

    often implies an object of worship and can sound negative in some contexts

  • icon

    often refers to a sacred image, especially a painted one

文法句型

a bronze buddha

a wooden buddha

a buddha in [place]

用法筆記

This sense refers to the object, not the religious founder himself. It is common in travel, art, and home-decoration contexts, often with words naming the material or size of the image.

常見錯誤

❌The hall was lined with several Buddha.
✅The hall was lined with several buddhas.
💡In this sense, 'buddha' is a common countable noun and takes a normal plural form.
❌The shop sold a beautiful Buddha religion figure.
✅The shop sold a beautiful buddha figure.
💡Use 'buddha' for the image itself, not 'Buddha religion' before the noun.

3. someone in Buddhism who reaches complete spiritual awakening

3.名詞C1
釋義

someone in Buddhism who reaches complete spiritual awakening

例句

The old monk taught that kindness and wisdom can lead to becoming a buddha.

becoming a buddha

In the story, the prince leaves home and later becomes a buddha.

[person] becomes a buddha

同義詞
  • awakened one

    a close explanatory phrase that stresses spiritual awakening

  • enlightened being

    a broad descriptive phrase for someone who has reached enlightenment

  • arahant

    a Buddhist term for a liberated person, though not always identical to a buddha

文法句型

become a buddha

a buddha has [quality]

not every [person] is a buddha

用法筆記

Used mainly in Buddhist discussion or formal explanation, not for an ordinary calm or wise person. Distinguish it from 'Buddhist', which means someone who follows Buddhism rather than someone who has reached full enlightenment.

常見錯誤

❌Every Buddhist monk is a buddha.
✅Not every Buddhist monk is a buddha.
💡A buddha is a fully enlightened being, not simply any monk or follower of Buddhism.
❌She became Buddhist after years of meditation.
✅She became a Buddhist after years of meditation.
💡'Buddhist' names a follower of the religion; this sense of 'buddha' refers to the state of full enlightenment.