Translation guide
A mausoleum is a large, stately tomb or building housing tombs. In Japanese, the most common word is 霊廟 (reibyō), but the specific term used depends on the context, especially for imperial tombs.
A grand tomb or building containing tombs, not necessarily imperial.
General term for a mausoleum, often for religious or historical figures.
その霊廟は丘の上に建てられた。
The mausoleum was built on a hill.
Shorter term for mausoleum or shrine, often used in compound words.
この廟には多くの参拝者が訪れる。
Many worshippers visit this mausoleum.
Specifically the tomb of an emperor or member of the imperial family.
Honorific term for an imperial tomb or mausoleum.
明治天皇の御陵は京都にある。
Emperor Meiji's mausoleum is in Kyoto.
Term for imperial tomb, often used in official names.
仁徳天皇陵は日本最大の古墳です。
Emperor Nintoku's mausoleum is the largest kofun in Japan.
Refers to the keyhole-shaped burial mounds of ancient Japan, often considered mausoleums.
Ancient burial mound, often used for the massive tombs of early rulers.
大山古墳は世界最大級の墳墓です。
Daisen Kofun is one of the largest mausoleums in the world.
A modern mausoleum where a preserved body is displayed, often for political leaders.
Also used for modern mausoleums like Lenin's or Mao's.
レーニン廟はモスクワの赤の広場にある。
Lenin's Mausoleum is in Red Square in Moscow.
Can be used in names like 毛主席廟 (Mao Zedong Mausoleum).
毛主席廟は北京にある。
Chairman Mao's Mausoleum is in Beijing.
霊廟 is a general term for any grand tomb or mausoleum, including modern ones. 御陵 is specifically for imperial tombs. 古墳 refers to ancient burial mounds, which are often considered mausoleums but are a distinct archaeological category.
When referring to a specific imperial mausoleum, the suffix 陵 is often added to the emperor's name, e.g., 仁徳天皇陵 (Emperor Nintoku's mausoleum).
タージ・マハルは有名な霊廟です。
The Taj Mahal is a famous mausoleum.
彼らは御陵を訪れた。
They visited the imperial mausoleum.