How to say "cathedral" in Japanese

• カテドラルCommon
  nounThe direct term for a cathedral: a large, important church, typically the seat of a bishop. Use it when naming or describing cathedrals such as those of Europe.
• 寺院じいんJLPT N2approx.Common
  nounA general word for religious buildings, with 'cathedral' only one sense alongside church and mosque; on its own it tends to suggest a temple, so it is seldom the precise word for a cathedral.

For a cathedral itself, especially a Christian one, 「カテドラル」 is the direct choice; 寺院 is a general word for religious buildings — churches, cathedrals, mosques — so it only loosely matches 'cathedral'.

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

• カテドラルcathedral
• 大聖堂だいせいどうcathedral
• ドゥオモcathedral
• 司教座教会しきょうざきょうかいcathedral
• 司教座聖堂しきょうざせいどうcathedral
• 教会堂きょうかいどうchurch
• 天主堂てんしゅどう(Catholic) church
• 寺院じいんreligious building
• 御堂みどうcathedral (esp. Catholic)