How to say "altar" in Japanese

• 祭壇さいだんCommon
  nounThe common, general word for an altar in any religious setting — a church, shrine, or place of ritual offering. If you are unsure which word to use, this is the default.
  彼かれは祭壇さいだんの上うえをあちこちに歩あるいた。↗

  He walked to and fro on the stage.
• 供物台くもつだい
  nounLiterally an 'offering stand', this names the stand on which offerings are set out; less common than 祭壇, it points to the piece of furniture rather than the altar as a whole.
• 聖壇せいだん
  nounAn altar regarded as holy — 聖 means 'holy' — often used of the altar in a church; it is less common than 祭壇 and has a solemn, sacred coloring.
• 聖卓せいたく
  nounLiterally a 'holy table', this word is used especially in Christian contexts, for the altar of a church; it is less common than 祭壇.
• 神壇しんだん
  nounAn altar for the worship of deities — 神 means 'god' — so it suggests a Shinto or folk-religious setting rather than a Christian one; it is less common than 祭壇.

Choose 祭壇, the common general word, for an altar of any religion; 供物台 is an offering stand, 聖壇 a holy altar, 聖卓 especially a Christian one, and 神壇 an altar for deities.

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

• 祭壇さいだんaltar
• 供物台くもつだいaltar
• 聖壇せいだんaltar
• 聖卓せいたくaltar (esp. Christian)
• 神壇しんだんaltar