koan
ˈkəʊ.æn
Definition Synonyms

Definition of koan - Reverso English Dictionary

Noun

1.
Zen BuddhismTECH.Zen story or riddle for meditationTECH.
  • The monk pondered the koan for days.
anecdote parable riddle
2.
paradoxTECH.riddle with no logical solutionTECH.
  • He found the koan perplexing and enlightening.
conundrum enigma puzzle
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Origin of koan

Japanese, kōan (public case)

Examples of koan in a sentence

  • He found the koan both puzzling and enlightening.
  • The monk meditated on the koan for hours.
  • She pondered the koan, seeking deeper understanding.

View all translations of koan

Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
  1. French:kōan, koan, ...
  2. German:Koan, ...
  3. Italian:koan, ...
  4. Spanish:koan, ...
  5. Portuguese:koan, ...
  6. Chinese:公案, 禅机, ...
  7. Japanese:公案, コアン, ...
  8. Arabic:قِصَّة زِن, كُوان, ...
  9. Hebrew:קוֹאָן, חִידָה פָּרָדוֹקְסָלִית, ...
  10. Russian:коан, ...
  11. Ukrainian:коан, ...
  12. Hindi:कोआन, ...

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