noun
pious woman; female believer
Buddhist term for a devout laywoman or female follower. Often contrasted with 善男子 (ぜんなんし, pious man).
See also: 善女
彼女は熱心な善女人として知られている。
She is known as a devout female believer.
お寺には多くの善女人が集まった。
Many pious women gathered at the temple.
A shorter form with the same meaning, but less common and more literary.
From 善 (ぜん, good, virtuous) + 女人 (にょにん, woman). A Buddhist term for a laywoman of faith.