How to say "gong" in Japanese

Choosing the right word

どらCommon
nounThe flat gong struck with sticks, the kind beaten at festivals; the word also covers the tam-tam. It is usually written in kana rather than in kanji.
食事しょくじのドラが鳴なると部屋へやはからになった。↗
The room emptied when the gong for dinner sounded.
ゴングCommon
nounThe loanword for the gong as an instrument, as in the gong struck to start a boxing match.
鉦かねCommon
nounA gong of the kind used in traditional festival music; it can also mean a handbell. It names this specific instrument rather than serving as a general word for gongs.
鉦かねや太鼓たいこで探さがしあてた割わりには、あいつ期待きたいはずれだったよな。↗
He turned out to be a real disappointment after we went through hell and high water to find him.

Use 「どら」 for the flat gong beaten at festivals (it also covers the tam-tam), 「ゴング」 for the loanword for the instrument itself, and 鉦 for the gong of traditional festival music, which can also mean a handbell.

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

Japanese equivalents

どらgong
ゴングgong (instrument)
鉦かねgong

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