How to say "prayer" in Japanese

• 祈りいのりJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounThe general word for prayer as an act: a silent prayer, a prayer for someone's happiness or recovery. It fits religious devotion and heartfelt pleas alike, the usual choice in most contexts.
  彼女かのじょはひざまずいて神かみに祈いのりをささげた。↗

  She prayed to God on her knees.
• 願がんCommon
  nounEssentially a wish or vow: the request itself — what one entrusts to a deity — rather than the act of praying, especially in Buddhist usage. For plain 'prayer' it is seldom the word you want.
• 祈願きがんCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbA prayer for a particular purpose or outcome: praying that something — good luck, safety, success — may come to pass. Use this when the wished-for result is the point.
• 祈祷きとうCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verbPrayer as a religious act: a rite or devotion performed within a faith, and also the grace said before a meal. It carries a more overtly religious flavor than 祈り.
  ペットのためにご祈祷きとうしていただける御守おんもりと御ご札さつが実現じつげんしました。↗

  Now there are charms and talismans for your pet that you can have blessed.
• 祈念きねんCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbA solemn word for prayer as a wish directed toward something — praying for peace, for a good result — met chiefly in speeches and writing; for everyday 'prayer' it is seldom the word you want.

Use 「祈り」 for prayer in general, 祈願 for praying for a specific outcome, 祈祷 for prayer as a religious rite or grace at meals; 願 is really a wish or vow, 祈念 a solemn word for praying for something.

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

• 祈りいのりprayer
• 願がんprayer
• 祈願きがんprayer (for something)
• 祈祷きとうprayer
• 祈念きねんprayer
• プレーpraying
• 加持かじprayer (to get rid of misfortune, disease, etc.)
• 心願しんがんprayer
• お祈りおいのりprayer
• 祈請きせいentreaty
• 願い事ねがいごとwish
• 願いねがいprayer
• 誓願せいがんprayer (for something by making a vow)
• 発願ほつがんpraying