How to say "church" in Japanese

• 教会きょうかいJLPT N4approx.Common
  nounThe usual word for a Christian church, covering both the building and, in its 'congregation' sense, the body of worshippers; when you simply mean 'church', choose this.
  その教会きょうかいは１１７３年ねんまでさかのぼる。↗

  The church dates back to 1173.
• 会堂かいどうCommon
  nounA hall of worship or assembly; in biblical contexts it is the word for a synagogue. For an ordinary Christian church, 教会 is the natural choice.
  会堂かいどうに鐘かねの音おとが響ひびき渡わたった。↗

  The hall resounded with pealing bells.
• 聖堂せいどうCommon
  nounA sanctuary or sacred hall; it also names Confucian temples. It is seldom the word you want for a Christian church — think 'sanctuary' rather than 'church', and use 教会 for that.
  その聖者せいじゃが埋葬まいそうされている聖堂せいどうを多おおくの人々ひとびとが訪おとずれた。↗

  Many people visited the shrine where the saint lay buried.
• チャーチCommon
  nounThe loanword for 'church', heard mainly in Christian usage; for a church building or congregation in general, 教会 is the word you want.
• 寺院じいんJLPT N2approx.Common
  nounReally a temple: it matches 'church' only through its broad 'religious building' sense, so it is not the word for a Christian church — use 教会 there.

Use 教会 for a church building or congregation in almost any context; 会堂 and 聖堂 suit synagogues, sanctuaries and similar sacred halls, 「チャーチ」 is the loanword heard in Christian circles, and 寺院 really means a temple.

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

• 教会きょうかいchurch
• 会堂かいどうchurch
• 聖堂せいどう(Confucian) temple
• チャーチchurch
• 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