noun
poorly made article; defective item; dud
Slangy noun for something that is broken, defective, or of shoddy quality. Often used in manufacturing or everyday contexts. The term derives from the image of a poorly cast Buddha statue.
この時計、買ってすぐにお釈迦になった。
This watch broke down right after I bought it.
お釈迦のスマホを修理に出す。
I'm sending my busted smartphone for repair.
noun
Polite term for the historical Buddha, Shakyamuni. The prefix お adds respect. Used in religious or formal contexts.
See also: 釈迦
お釈迦様の教えを学ぶ。
I study the teachings of the Buddha.
お寺でお釈迦の像を拝んだ。
I prayed before the statue of the Buddha at the temple.
Formal kanji spelling using 御 for the honorific prefix. Less common in everyday writing.
The slang sense 'defective article' likely comes from the image of a poorly cast Buddha statue, implying something that is a failure. The polite term for Buddha is simply お + 釈迦 (Shakyamuni).