How to say "solemn" in Japanese

• 荘厳そうごんCommon
  na-adjective, nounSolemn as sublime grandeur: magnificent and awe-inspiring rather than quiet or grave. Fits grand ceremonies, sacred buildings, and majestic natural scenery.
  神聖しんせいな儀式ぎしきがその荘厳そうごんな寺院じいんで執り行とりおこなわれた。↗

  A sacred ritual took place in the magnificent temple.
• 厳かおごそかJLPT N1approx.Common
  na-adjective, nounThe natural choice when solemn describes a ceremony or atmosphere: quiet, dignified solemnity with a hushed, reverent feel. It covers the mood of an occasion rather than a person's character.
  結婚けっこん生活せいかつがうまく行いっていない方ほうは結婚式けっこんしきの時ときにおごそかに神かみの前まえに誓ちかった、夫婦ふうふの誓約せいやくを思い出おもいだしてみましょう。↗

  And to the people whose married life is not going well, let's remember the marriage covenant sworn solemnly before God at the wedding ceremony.
• 厳粛げんしゅくCommon
  na-adjectiveSolemn in the sense of grave and serious: the gravity of a formal occasion or of an earnest, serious attitude toward a matter. Closer to 'grave' than to awe-inspiring grandeur.
  お坊ぼうさんが突然とつぜん大声おおごえで笑わらい出だし、厳粛げんしゅくな雰囲気ふんいきを台無だいなしにした。↗

  All at once, the Buddhist priest burst into laughter, spoiling the solemn atmosphere.
• 厳然げんぜんCommon
  taru-adjective, adverb (with と)Solemn through sternness and authority: an imposing, unbending gravity that commands respect, as of a stern presence or an unyielding stance. The quiet, reverent side of 'solemn' is not its core.
• 謹厳きんげんCommon
  na-adjective, nounDescribes a person's character, not an occasion: stern, grave, and sober, with a strictly disciplined bearing. It is seldom the word you want for a solemn ceremony or atmosphere.

For a solemn ceremony or atmosphere choose 「厳か」; for sublime, magnificent grandeur 荘厳; for grave seriousness 厳粛; for stern, commanding authority 厳然; for a stern, sober personal character 謹厳.

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

• 荘厳そうごんsolemn
• 厳かおごそかsolemn (ceremony, atmosphere, etc.)
• 厳粛げんしゅくgrave
• 厳然げんぜんgrave
• 謹厳きんげんstern
• 重厚じゅうこうprofound
• 重々しいおもおもしいserious
• 神々しいこうごうしいdivine
• 森厳しんげんsolemn
• 荘重そうちょうsolemn
• 粛しゅくsolemn
• 粛々しゅくしゅくsilent
• 粛然しゅくぜんsilent
• しめやかquiet and subdued in appearance
• 儼乎げんこgrave
• いかめしいstern
• しかつめらしいformal
• もっともらしいsolemn
• 物々しいものものしいimpressive