教会 — meaning in English: A church

kyōkai · Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.

Guess the translation for church

設定

settei

観測

kansoku

教会

kyōkai

妥協

dakkyō

意見

iken

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neutral common

Usage

Native speakers use the word 教会 (kyōkai) in various contexts, particularly when discussing religious matters or attending services. It's common to hear it in conversations about community events, holidays, or when asking for directions to a church.

Synonyms & nuances

A close synonym is 礼拝堂 (reihai-dō), which specifically refers to a chapel or worship hall. You would choose 教会 (kyōkai) when referring to a church in a broader sense, encompassing various Christian denominations, whereas 礼拝堂 (reihai-dō) is more about the act of worship and the space used for that purpose.

Culture

The term 教会 (kyōkai) is derived from the Chinese characters 教 (kyō), meaning 'to teach' or 'teaching,' and 会 (kai), meaning 'meeting' or 'gathering.' This reflects the church's role as a place of spiritual teaching and community gathering. Interestingly, Japan has a unique blend of Shinto and Buddhist practices alongside Christianity, making churches significant yet diverse places of worship across the country.

FAQ

Q.What is the difference between 教会 and 礼拝堂?

教会 (kyōkai) refers to a church in a general sense, while 礼拝堂 (reihai-dō) specifically denotes a place of worship. Use 教会 when discussing churches broadly, and 礼拝堂 when talking about worship spaces.

Q.How do you use 教会 in a sentence?

You can use 教会 in sentences like '彼は毎週日曜日に教会に行きます' (He goes to church every Sunday) to express attendance or involvement in church activities.

Q.Is 教会 used only for Christian churches?

Yes, 教会 (kyōkai) specifically refers to Christian churches. For places of worship in other religions, different terms would be used, such as 寺 (tera) for Buddhist temples or 神社 (jinja) for Shinto shrines.

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Japanese 2000