会堂|かいどうkaidou[0]heiban (flat)

1. nounchurch; chapel; synagogue; tabernacle
   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.

• SynonymチャーチNeutralLoanword for a Christian church, often seen in the names of churches and facilities; everyday speech prefers 「教会」, and 「会堂」 can also mean an assembly hall.
• SynonymチャペルNeutralLoanword for a Christian chapel or small church; it may stand alone or be attached to a school, hospital or hotel, and is often used for weddings.
• SynonymホールNeutralLoanword for a large hall such as a concert or assembly hall, also a restaurant dining area; no religious coloring, common in daily use.
• Synonym教会堂きょうかいどうWrittenFormal term for a building where believers worship and hold religious gatherings; 「会堂」 can also refer to ordinary assembly buildings.
• Synonym礼拝堂れいはいどうWrittenA building for worship; read 「らいはいどう」, it can mean a worship hall at a Buddhist temple. 「会堂」 also covers general assembly buildings.
• Related教会きょうかいNeutralThe most common word, for a church organization or its building; 「会堂」 leans written and also means a building for general gatherings.
• Related会館かいかんNeutralA facility for group meetings, as in 「市民会館」, with no religious coloring; 「会堂」 mostly means a church or something like 「公会堂」.
• RelatedホールNeutralLoanword for a large hall such as a concert or assembly hall, also a restaurant dining area; no religious coloring, common in daily use.

For a Christian place of worship in everyday speech, say 「教会」; a small chapel is 「チャペル」. For buildings used for meetings, use 「会館」 or 「ホール」. 「会堂」 leans written, as in 「公会堂」.

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

1. 集会しゅうかいなどが行おこなわれる建物たてもの。
2. 教会堂きょうかいどう。