今いま道どう心しん

い

ま

ど

う

し

ん

Meanings

1

noun

neophyte; novice

Refers to someone new to a field, activity, or belief; often used in Buddhist contexts for a new monk or convert, but can apply more broadly.

彼かれはまだいまどうしんだから、失しっ敗

ぱい

し

て

も

仕し

方かた

ない

。

He's still a novice, so it can't be helped if he makes mistakes.

いまどうしんの修しゅ行ぎょう僧そうが掃そう除じをしている。

A novice monk is cleaning.

Kanji

今now
道road-way, street, district
心heart, mind, spirit

Related words

初しょ心しん者しゃ
初心者 is the most common word for 'beginner' in everyday contexts, while 今道心 is rarer and often carries a Buddhist or formal nuance.
新しん人じん
新人 refers to a newcomer in a workplace or organization, emphasizing inexperience in a specific role, whereas 今道心 can imply a spiritual or philosophical newness.

Built from

今いま+道どう心しん

Etymology

The term 今道心 (いまどうしん) is composed of 今 (now) and 道心 (religious mind, devotion). It originally referred to someone who has recently entered the Buddhist path, hence a new convert or novice monk. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the kanji reflect the meaning of a newly awakened religious mind.