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偶像 (ぐうぞう) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

偶ぐう像ぞう

ぐ

う

ぞ

う

Common word›JLPTN1›Freq.FrequencyTop 50,000

Meanings

1

idol; image; statue

Refers to a physical representation of a deity or revered figure, often used in religious or cultural contexts. Can also be used metaphorically for someone or something that is worshipped or admired.

その寺じ院

いん

に

は

金きん

の

偶ぐう

像ぞう

が

安あん

置ち

さ

れ

て

いる

。

A golden idol is enshrined in that temple.

彼かれは若わか者ものたちの偶ぐう像ぞうとなった。

He became an idol for young people.

Usage patterns

〈物もの〉を偶ぐう像ぞうとして崇すう拝はいするto worship something as an idol
古こ代だいの人ひと々びとは太たい陽ようを偶ぐう像ぞうとして崇すう拝はいしていた。
Ancient people worshipped the sun as an idol.
〈人ひと〉を偶ぐう像ぞうとして崇あがめるto revere someone as an idol
多おおくの若わか者ものが彼かれを偶ぐう像ぞうとして崇あがめている。
Many young people revere him as an idol.
偶ぐう像ぞうを壊こわすto smash an idol (e.g. in iconoclasm)
宗しゅう教きょう改かい革かく者しゃたちは寺じ院いんの偶ぐう像ぞうを壊こわした。
The reformers smashed the idols in the temple.

Kanji

偶accidentally, even number, couple
像statue, picture, image

Related words

アイドルN2
偶像 usually denotes a physical statue or image that is worshipped, or a metaphorical figure of devotion, while アイドル refers to a pop star or celebrity admired by fans.
神しん像ぞう
偶像 is the general term for any image or figure that is worshipped, whereas 神像 specifically means a statue or image of a deity.
仏ぶつ像ぞうN1
偶像 covers any worshipped image, religious or secular, while 仏像 refers specifically to a statue of Buddha.
本ほん尊ぞん
偶像 is the general word for an idol or graven image in any religion, while 本尊 refers specifically to the central object of worship enshrined in a Buddhist temple or altar.

Don't confuse with

銅どう像ぞうN1
銅像 is a bronze statue, usually of a historical or public figure, without necessarily being an object of worship, while 偶像 emphasizes veneration or idealized admiration.

Counted with

体たい
For statues, figures, dolls, and humanoid robots.
躯く
Literary counter for Buddhist statues and images.

Word family· 8

偶ぐう像ぞう化か
idolization; turning into an idol
偶ぐう像ぞう教きょう
idolatry
偶ぐう像ぞう視し
idolization; treating as an idol

Etymology

A Sino-Japanese compound in which 偶 means a human figure, image, or statue and 像 means an image or likeness; together they denote an idol or effigy.

偶ぐう像ぞう崇すう拝はい

idolatry; idol worship

偶ぐう像ぞう破は壊かい

iconoclasm; image breaking

Show 3 more

偶ぐう像ぞう礼れい拝はい
idolatry; idol worship
偶ぐう像ぞう崇すう拝はい者しゃ
idol worshipper; idolater
偶ぐう像ぞう教きょう徒と的てき
idolatrous