Translation guide
A cathedral is the main church of a diocese, typically large and architecturally significant. In Japanese, the most common word is 大聖堂, but other terms exist depending on context.
The principal church of a bishop's jurisdiction, often grand in scale.
The standard term for a cathedral, especially a large and impressive one. Used for famous cathedrals like Notre-Dame.
Notre-Dame Cathedral is in Paris.
Loanword from English. Used in names or when emphasizing the Western concept, but less common than 大聖堂.
That cathedral is Gothic style.
Technical term used in Orthodox or Anglican contexts, literally 'bishop's seat church'. Rare in everyday speech.
The cathedral is the center of the diocese.
Any grand church building, not necessarily a bishop's seat.
大聖堂 (daiseidō) specifically refers to a cathedral or grand church, while 教会 (kyōkai) is the general word for any Christian church building. Use 教会 for ordinary local churches.
In Japanese, Buddhist temples are 寺 (tera) or 寺院 (jiin), not 大聖堂. Using 大聖堂 for a Buddhist temple would be incorrect.
この聖堂は12世紀に建てられました。
This church was built in the 12th century.