Japanese word

供養

Pronunciation

Romajikuyō

Meaning

  • nounmemorial service

Example

寺で先祖の供養をします。tera de sen zo no ku yō o shi ma su

I hold a memorial service for my ancestors at a temple.

Illustration for 供養 (memorial service)

More examples

遠方に住む親族も、オンラインで供養に参加します。en pō ni su mu shin zoku mo o n ra i n de ku yō ni san ka shi ma su

Relatives who live far away also take part in the memorial service online.

Core concept

Refers to honoring the dead or Buddhist beings by giving offerings in a ritual act of remembrance.

Common phrases

  • 供養をするku yō o su ru

    perform a memorial service

  • 先祖の供養sen zo no ku yō

    memorial service for ancestors

  • 故人の供養ko jin no ku yō

    memorial service for the deceased

Similar words

弔いtoburai: An act or ceremony for mourning and honoring a person who has died.
法要hōyō: A Buddhist service held to honor a dead person, often on a memorial date.
追善tsuizen: A Buddhist practice performed for the dead to create religious merit for them.
慰霊irei: A ritual held to honor and comfort the spirits of people who have died.

Definition in Japanese

死者の霊や仏のために供物を供え、その安らぎや功徳を願うこと。shi sha no rei ya futsu no ta me ni ku motsu o sona e so no yasu ra gi ya ku doku o nega u ko to

Word origin

The Buddhist word 供養 (kuyō) uses 供 (ku, "present an offering") with 養 (yō, "nurture"), conveying the idea of sustaining or honoring the dead through offerings.

Usage tips

  • The noun can also describe memorial rites for animals, showing that 供養 (kuyō) centers on respectful remembrance rather than only on human ancestors.

Other meanings

  • memorial offeringnoun

Related words

  • 供養するkuyōsuruperform a memorial serviceverb
  • 供養者kuyōshamemorial officiantnoun

Word lists with this word