Translation guide
A religious song of praise, typically sung in a Christian context. In Japanese, the most common word is 賛美歌 (sanbika), but other terms exist for Buddhist hymns, national anthems, and more.
A song of praise to God, sung in church or religious gatherings.
The standard word for a Christian hymn. Used in Protestant and Catholic contexts.
We sang hymns at church on Sunday.
This hymn is very famous.
Literally 'sacred song'. Often used interchangeably with 賛美歌, but can sound slightly more formal or liturgical. Also used for choral sacred music.
The choir sang a beautiful hymn.
Variant kanji for 賛美歌, using 讃 instead of 賛. Same reading and meaning, but less common in modern usage.
I found an old hymn book.
A song or chant of praise in a Buddhist context.
A national song, often referred to poetically as a 'hymn' in English.
Standard word for national anthem. Not a religious hymn, but may be translated as 'national hymn' in some contexts.
The national anthem was played at the Olympics.
Any song expressing praise or admiration, not necessarily religious.
A song of praise or glorification. Can be used for secular contexts, like a 'hymn to nature'.
This piece is a hymn to nature.
Both mean 'hymn', but 賛美歌 is the everyday word used in most churches. 聖歌 can sound more formal or refer to classical sacred music. In Catholic contexts, 聖歌 is often preferred.
In English, 'hymn' can sometimes refer to a national anthem (e.g., 'national hymn'), but in Japanese, 国歌 is the correct word. 賛美歌 is strictly religious.
The monk chanted a hymn.