Translation guide
The term "capitol" refers to a building where a legislature meets, most famously the U.S. Capitol. In Japanese, the equivalent concept is expressed with specific terms for the national legislature building, and more general terms for government or parliament buildings.
Referring specifically to the building in Washington, D.C., where the U.S. Congress meets.
This is the standard Japanese term for the U.S. Capitol building. It literally means 'Federal Assembly Hall'.
連邦議会議事堂はワシントンD.C.にあります。
The Capitol is located in Washington, D.C.
While this term usually refers to Japan's National Diet Building, it can be used generically for a capitol building. When context makes it clear, it can refer to the U.S. Capitol.
アメリカの国会議事堂は「キャピトル」と呼ばれています。
The U.S. capitol building is called the 'Capitol'.
The direct loanword from English. It is understood, especially in contexts like 'Capitol Hill', but is less common than the descriptive Japanese terms.
キャピトルヒルは政治の中心地です。
Capitol Hill is the center of politics.
Referring to a building where a U.S. state legislature meets.
The standard term for a state capitol building. It literally means 'State Assembly Hall'.
カリフォルニア州の州議会議事堂はサクラメントにあります。
The California State Capitol is in Sacramento.
A slightly shorter variant, also used for state capitol buildings.
テキサス州会議事堂はオースティンにあります。
The Texas State Capitol is in Austin.
Referring to the main building where a national legislature meets, in a general or non-U.S. context.
The generic term for a national parliament or congress building. It is used for Japan's National Diet Building and can be applied to other countries' equivalents.
日本の国会議事堂は東京にあります。
Japan's National Diet Building is in Tokyo.
イギリスの国会議事堂はウェストミンスター宮殿です。
The British Parliament building is the Palace of Westminster.
A more general term meaning 'assembly hall' or 'parliament building'. It can be used when the context makes the specific legislature clear.
国会議事堂 (National Diet Building) is the general term for Japan's legislature building and can be used for other countries. 連邦議会議事堂 (Federal Assembly Hall) is specifically the U.S. Capitol. Use 連邦議会議事堂 when you need to be unambiguous about the U.S. Capitol.
In English, 'capital' (city) and 'capitol' (building) are distinct. In Japanese, the building is 議事堂 (ぎじどう) or 国会議事堂, while the capital city is 首都 (しゅと). Be careful not to confuse them.
その議事堂は観光客に人気です。
That parliament building is popular with tourists.