How to say "abbey" in Japanese

• 修道院しゅうどういんCommon
  nounThe common, all-purpose term, covering 'abbey' together with 'monastery', 'convent' and 'cloister'. Use it when 'abbey' just means a monastery or its buildings, as in a history of medieval monasticism.
  当時とうじは修道しゅうどう僧そう達たちが修道院しゅうどういんでよくテニスをしていた。↗

  Monks used to play tennis in monasteries.
• 大修道院だいしゅうどういん
  nounLess common than 修道院, this literally means 'great monastery' and covers the 'abbey' sense specifically — a large, important monastic house. It suits contexts that emphasize an abbey's size or standing.

For 'abbey' in the general sense of a monastery or convent, use 修道院; choose 大修道院 — literally 'great monastery' — when you want the specific term for a large, important abbey, though it is less common.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 修道院しゅうどういんmonastery
• 大修道院だいしゅうどういんabbey