daibutsu
C2Formal, Historical, Academic
Definition
Meaning
A massive, seated bronze statue of a Buddha, particularly the Great Buddha at the Kōtoku-in temple in Kamakura, Japan.
The term is also used to refer to other large statues of the Buddha in Japan, such as the one at Tōdai-ji in Nara. In broader usage, it can refer to any impressively large statue, though this is less common.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word is a proper noun when referring to the specific statues (e.g., the Kamakura Daibutsu) but can be used as a common noun for any such large statue. It carries specific cultural and historical connotations of Japanese Buddhism.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage; the word is a direct loan from Japanese. UK texts might use the diacritic (daibutsu) more consistently than US texts.
Connotations
Identical in both variants: evokes Japanese art, history, and Zen Buddhism.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both varieties; primarily found in historical, travel, or art contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
visit the Daibutsuthe Daibutsu standsthe Daibutsu is located inDaibutsu of [Place Name]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare; might appear in tourism or cultural heritage project discussions.
Academic
Used in art history, religious studies, or Japanese history texts.
Everyday
Almost exclusively used by tourists or in travelogues about Japan.
Technical
Used in art conservation, archaeology, or religious architecture contexts.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- We saw a big Buddha statue in Japan.
- The famous Daibutsu in Kamakura is very old.
- The Kamakura Daibutsu, a monumental bronze statue, has survived earthquakes and tsunamis since the 13th century.
- While the Nara Daibutsu is housed within a temple hall, its Kamakura counterpart sits serenely in the open air, a testament to different architectural and devotional philosophies.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Dai (大) means 'great' and Butsu (仏) means 'Buddha' in Japanese. Think: The 'Great Buddha' is a 'Dai-butsu'.
Conceptual Metaphor
MONUMENTALITY IS PERMANENCE / SPIRITUAL PRESENCE IS SIZE
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation as 'большой Будда' which is descriptive but loses the cultural specificity. The term 'дайбуцу' is a direct transliteration used in specialized contexts.
- Do not confuse with 'идол' (idol), as 'Daibutsu' is a reverent religious icon, not a pagan idol.
Common Mistakes
- Pronouncing it as 'day-byoot-soo' (/ˌdeɪˈbjuːtsuː/). The first syllable should rhyme with 'eye'.
- Using it as a plural ('daibutsus'); it is often treated as uncountable or the plural is implied by context.
- Capitalising incorrectly: it is often lowercased when used generically (a daibutsu) but capitalised for specific ones (the Kamakura Daibutsu).
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'Daibutsu'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While the Kamakura Daibutsu is the most famous, there are others, most notably the even larger one at Tōdai-ji in Nara.
In English, it is commonly pronounced /ˌdaɪˈbuːtsuː/ (dye-BOO-tsoo). The Japanese pronunciation is closer to [dai.bɯ.tsɯ].
Typically, no. It is a culturally specific term for Japanese Great Buddha statues. For large Buddhas in other countries (e.g., China or Thailand), terms like 'giant Buddha' or the local name are used.
No. It is a low-frequency loanword used primarily in contexts related to Japanese culture, history, or travel.