พระสงฆ์

Explanation

This respectful term is common in temple information, descriptions of religious ceremonies, and news reports. The word itself does not specify whether one monk or several monks are meant. Use the classifier รูป when counting monks: พระสงฆ์ 3 รูป means “three monks.” Common expressions include ถวายอาหารแด่พระสงฆ์, “offer food to monks”; นิมนต์พระสงฆ์มาที่บ้าน, “invite monks to the house”; and พระสงฆ์กำลังสวดมนต์, “the monks are chanting.” ถวาย is a respectful verb used for giving offerings, while นิมนต์ is used when inviting monks.

Usage

You will encounter it in discussions of temple life, alms rounds, offerings, chanting, and funerals. It is also common when arranging for monks to attend a ceremony at home or reporting on monks in the news.

Caution

The term normally distinguishes monks from novices (สามเณร) and white-robed female renunciants (แม่ชี). It is used to refer to monks; when addressing a monk directly, use an appropriate title such as หลวงพ่อ or หลวงพี่.

1 Buddhist monk synonyms

• พระ

  phrá Buddhist monk

  พระ is the usual everyday word for a monk, but it can also refer to a Buddha image or a Buddhist amulet. พระสงฆ์ clearly identifies monks and sounds more formal.

• พระภิกษุ

  พระภิกษุ specifically denotes a fully ordained male Buddhist monk. พระสงฆ์ usually refers to the same people, but is common when discussing monks generally, including in news reports.