amida: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (Specialized)Formal, Religious, Academic
Quick answer
What does “amida” mean?
A central figure in Pure Land Buddhism, the Buddha of Infinite Light and Life, upon whose vows and compassion practitioners rely for salvation.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A central figure in Pure Land Buddhism, the Buddha of Infinite Light and Life, upon whose vows and compassion practitioners rely for salvation.
A term referring to the Amida Buddha or to the Pure Land Buddhist tradition focused on faith in him; can refer to the practice of reciting his name (Nembutsu).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Both varieties treat it as a specialized religious term.
Connotations
Conveys specific religious meaning associated with Japanese or East Asian Pure Land Buddhism.
Frequency
Extremely rare outside of religious, philosophical, or art history contexts in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “amida” in a Sentence
N/A - Primarily a proper noun used in apposition or as an attributive noun (e.g., Amida Buddhism).Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “amida” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- The Amida-centric practices of Shin Buddhism.
- Amida-related iconography.
American English
- The Amida-focused teachings of Jodo Shinshu.
- Amida-inspired art.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in religious studies, philosophy, art history, and East Asian studies.
Everyday
Extremely rare, only in discussions of specific Buddhist practices.
Technical
A core technical term within Pure Land Buddhist theology and practice.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “amida”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “amida”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “amida”
- Using 'amida' as a countable noun (e.g., 'an amida').
- Misspelling as 'Amida' when referring to the Buddha.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a very low-frequency, specialized term used almost exclusively in religious, philosophical, or art history contexts related to East Asian Buddhism.
They refer to the same figure. 'Amida' is the Japanese transliteration, while 'Amitabha' is the Sanskrit name. 'Amida' is more common in English-language texts focusing on Japanese Buddhism.
Yes, attributively, as in 'Amida Buddhism' or 'Amida statue'. It functions as a noun modifier rather than a true adjective describing qualities.
Yes, always. It is a proper noun, the name of a specific Buddha.
A central figure in Pure Land Buddhism, the Buddha of Infinite Light and Life, upon whose vows and compassion practitioners rely for salvation.
Amida is usually formal, religious, academic in register.
Amida: in British English it is pronounced /əˈmiːdə/, and in American English it is pronounced /əˈmidə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The Primal Vow of Amida”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a MIDAfternoon sun (Amida, Buddha of Infinite Light) whose rays promise a peaceful Pure Land.
Conceptual Metaphor
SALVATION IS A JOURNEY TO A PURE LAND (facilitated by Amida). LIGHT IS COMPASSION/WISDOM (Amida is the Buddha of Infinite Light).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary context for the use of the word 'Amida' in English?