anatman

A1N1A1T1M3A1N1
/ˈɑn ˈɑːtman/

noun

The doctrine that there is no transcendental ego or soul and the perceived true self is an illusion. It corresponds to the Hinayana or Theravada Buddhist doctrine of anatta.

Scrabble 9
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Meanings

nounanatman (uncountable)
  1. uncountableBuddhismThe doctrine that there is no transcendental ego or soul and the perceived true self is an illusion. It corresponds to the Hinayana or Theravada Buddhist doctrine of anatta.
  2. HinduismuncountableThat which is other than the atman (self), such as the body.

Origin

From an- + atman.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Chinese Mandarin 無我 /无我
  • 無我 /无我 (wúwǒ)Buddhist doctrine that there is no transcendental ego or soul
Japanese 無我
  • 無我 (muga)Buddhist doctrine that there is no transcendental ego or soul
Korean 무아
  • 무아 (mua)Buddhist doctrine that there is no transcendental ego or soul
Portuguese anatman
  • anatmanBuddhist doctrine that there is no transcendental ego or soul
Thai อนัตตา
  • อนัตตา (à-nát-dtaa)Buddhist doctrine that there is no transcendental ego or soul
Vietnamese vô ngã
  • vô ngãBuddhist doctrine that there is no transcendental ego or soul
Cite this entry
APA

anatman. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/anatman

MLA

“anatman.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/anatman. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “anatman,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/anatman.

Source: anatman on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.