bhikkhuni: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowFormal / Religious / Academic
Quick answer
What does “bhikkhuni” mean?
A fully ordained female Buddhist nun.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A fully ordained female Buddhist nun.
A member of the Buddhist monastic community (Sangha) who has taken the highest monastic vows (vinaya) for women; counterpart to the male bhikkhu. Historically, the order faced decline in some traditions but has seen modern revival.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant national variation in meaning or spelling. Usage is identical, dictated by the source language (Pali) and specialist religious/academic contexts.
Connotations
Identical connotations of spiritual discipline and Buddhist monasticism in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally rare in both BrE and AmE, appearing only in specific religious studies, Buddhist practice, or historical texts.
Grammar
How to Use “bhikkhuni” in a Sentence
A bhikkhuni [verb: lives/meditates/teaches] in the monastery.The ceremony ordained her as a bhikkhuni.Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in religious studies, anthropology, and history papers discussing Buddhist monasticism and gender.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
Core technical term in Buddhist theology (vinaya) and monastic law.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bhikkhuni”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “bhikkhuni”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bhikkhuni”
- Misspelling as 'bhikuni', 'bikkhuni', or 'bhikshuni'.
- Using it as a general term for any religious woman.
- Pronouncing the 'kh' as a hard /k/ followed by /h/ instead of a single aspirated sound.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
While both are female religious ascetics, a bhikkhuni follows the specific rules (Vinaya) of Buddhist monasticism, which differ significantly in doctrine, daily practice, and community structure from Christian monastic orders.
No. The bhikkhuni ordination lineage was preserved in East Asian Mahayana traditions but died out in Theravada regions. Modern efforts have re-established it in some Theravada communities, but it is not universally accepted.
A bhikkhuni is a fully ordained nun who has taken all the major vows. A samaneri is a female novice who has taken only the ten precepts and is in a training period before potential full ordination.
In English, it is commonly pronounced /bɪˈkuːni/ (bi-KOO-nee). The original Pali has an aspirated 'kh' sound, but the anglicised pronunciation often simplifies this.
A fully ordained female Buddhist nun.
Bhikkhuni is usually formal / religious / academic in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Take the bhikkhuni vows (meaning to become fully ordained).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'She took the BHIKe, now she's a bhikkhuni' – linking the word to the ascetic 'hike' of monastic life.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE SPIRITUAL PATH IS A JOURNEY (undertaken by a bhikkhuni).
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'bhikkhuni'?