Standard Lemma guide

zazen

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • /zɑːˈzɛn/
  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • rhymes with -ɛn

1

noun

Meaning 1

A form of seated meditation in Zen Buddhism.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable, usually

Topics: Buddhism, lifestyle, religion

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Borrowed from Japanese 坐(ざ)禅(ぜん) (zazen), from 坐(ざ) (za, “sitting”) + 禅(ぜん) (zen, “meditation”).

Across languages

Translations

5 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese: 坐禪 /坐禅 (zuòchán) — form of meditation
  • Czech: zazen — form of meditation
  • French: zazen — form of meditation
  • Indonesian: zazen — form of meditation
  • Vietnamese: tọa thiền — form of meditation