Japanese word

寺

Pronunciation

Romajitera

Meaning

  • nountemple

Example

駅の近くに寺があります。eki no chika ku ni tera ga a ri ma su

There is a temple near the station.

Illustration for 寺 (temple)

More examples

週末に家族と寺を訪れます。shū matsu ni ka zoku to tera o otozu re ma su

I visit a temple with my family on weekends.

Core concept

Refers to a place where Buddhists worship, hold ceremonies, and practice religious traditions.

Common phrases

  • 寺に行くtera ni i ku

    go to a temple

  • 寺を訪れるtera o otozu re ru

    visit a temple

  • 寺でお参りするtera de o mai ri su ru

    pray at a temple

Similar words

お寺otera: A polite and familiar term for a Buddhist temple.

Definition in Japanese

仏像を安置し、僧が修行や儀式を行う仏教の施設。butsu zō o an chi shi sō ga shu gyō ya gi shiki o okona u buk kyō no shi setsu

Word origin

寺 (tera, "temple") is a native Japanese word of uncertain etymology, represented by the Chinese character 寺 (ji, "Buddhist temple"); ji is its Sino-Japanese reading.

Usage tips

  • In English, temple can refer to places of worship in several religions, but 寺 (tera) specifically refers to a Buddhist temple in Japanese.

Word lists with this word