How to say "carnival" in Japanese

• カーニバルCommon
  nounThe common word for a carnival as a festive event — parades, costumes and entertainment. It is also used for the pre-Lenten celebrations, so it is the usual choice for most senses of 'carnival'.
  リオのカーニバルは二に月がつに開催かいさいされる。↗

  Rio's carnival is held in February.
• 謝肉祭しゃにくさい
  nounThe word for carnival specifically as the festival held before Lent in the Christian calendar. Less common than カーニバル, it is the choice when the religious season and its timing matter.
• お祭りおまつりJLPT N4approx.
  nounReally the word for a festival, polite in tone; it covers 'carnival' only loosely, for a lively celebration, and is a less common choice — not the word for the pre-Lenten festival.

Use 「カーニバル」 for a carnival as a festive event, including the pre-Lenten celebrations; 謝肉祭 when you mean the festival before Lent in the Christian calendar; 「お祭り」 only loosely, for a lively festival rather than a carnival proper.

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

• カーニバルcarnival
• 謝肉祭しゃにくさいcarnival (festival held before Lent)
• お祭りおまつりfestival
• 謝肉祭しゃにくさいCarnaval (Schumann)