祈祷・祈とう・祈禱|きとうkitou[0]heiban (flat)
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Which spelling to use
祈祷祈祷 is the most common form and is written entirely in kanji. For beginners, it is the default choice.
祈とう祈とう is a less common variant written with kanji and kana mixed together. Beginners should generally choose 祈祷 instead.
祈禱祈禱 is a less common spelling that uses an outdated kanji. Beginners should use 祈祷 instead.
Definitions
- noun, suru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verbprayer; grace (at meals)
- noun, suru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verb, Shinto, Buddhismexorcism
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 祈祷する（きとうする） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 祈祷します（きとうします） |
| Negative (nai) | 祈祷しない（きとうしない） |
| polite (masen) | 祈祷しません（きとうしません） |
| classical zu / nu | 祈祷せず・祈祷せぬ（きとうせず・きとうせぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 祈祷した（きとうした） |
| polite (mashita) | 祈祷しました（きとうしました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 祈祷しなかった（きとうしなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 祈祷しませんでした（きとうしませんでした） |
| Te form | 祈祷して（きとうして） |
| Potential | 祈祷できる（きとうできる） |
| Passive | 祈祷される（きとうされる） |
| Causative | 祈祷させる（きとうさせる） |
| Causative passive | 祈祷させられる（きとうさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 祈祷すれば（きとうすれば） |
| tara | 祈祷したら（きとうしたら） |
| Volitional | 祈祷しよう（きとうしよう） |
| polite (mashou) | 祈祷しましょう（きとうしましょう） |
| Imperative | 祈祷しろ（きとうしろ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym祈りいのりNeutralThe everyday native word for prayer; 「祈祷」 is a Sino-Japanese term that sounds more solemn and is also used for religious rites.
- Synonym祈念きねんWrittenWritten/formal register: praying that a wish comes true, as in 「平和を祈念する」. Too formal for casual conversation.
- Synonym祈願きがんNeutralPraying to the gods or Buddha for success, as in 「合格祈願」. It centers on a concrete wish, while 「祈祷」 names the act or rite itself.
- Synonym祈るいのるNeutralThe everyday verb: to pray, and to wish someone something, as in 「ご健康を祈る」. 「祈祷」 is a noun or suru verb and sounds more solemn.
- Synonym祈請きせいWrittenA written, rarely used word for entreating the gods or Buddha. In everyday speech say 「祈願」 or 「祈り」 instead.
- Related願いねがいNeutralA wish or request in a broad sense, not tied to religion. 「祈祷」 specifically means addressing the gods or Buddha in prayer.
- Related願がんNeutralThe same word as 「願い」, also written 「願」: a wish or request, not limited to religious contexts.
- Related念じるねんじるNeutralA verb for praying or wishing silently in one's mind. 「祈祷」 covers both spoken prayer and silent devotion.
- Related心願しんがんWrittenWritten and rare: an earnest wish vowed silently to the gods or Buddha, or such a heartfelt wish itself. 「祈祷」 usually involves a ceremony.
- Related称名しょうみょうWrittenA Buddhist term for intoning the name of the Buddha. Limited to that practice, whereas 「祈祷」 is not tied to any sect.
- Related立願りつがんWrittenWritten and old-fashioned: making a wish of a god. Rare today; use 「祈願」 in everyday speech.
Use 「祈祷」 for praying to the gods or Buddha and for the rite itself, as in 「祈祷師」 and 「ご祈祷を受ける」. In daily speech say 「祈り」 or 「祈る」; for a concrete wish use 「祈願」; in formal prose 「祈念」. 「願い」 is a wish in general, not necessarily religious.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
