Translation guide
A school for training religious leaders, especially Christian priests or ministers. In Japanese, the most common term is 神学校, but other terms exist depending on the religious tradition.
A school for training Christian clergy, such as priests, ministers, or pastors.
The standard term for a Christian seminary or divinity school. Used across denominations.
He is studying at a seminary to become a pastor.
Often used by Protestant or evangelical institutions. Similar to 神学校 but may imply a more specific denominational affiliation.
That seminary stands in the evangelical tradition.
Literally 'major seminary', used in Catholic contexts to refer to a seminary for advanced theological training, as opposed to a minor seminary.
He studied philosophy and theology at the major seminary.
A school for training Buddhist monks or clergy of other religions. Note that 神学校 is primarily Christian; other terms are used for non-Christian contexts.
A general term for a Buddhist monk training center. Not a direct translation of 'seminary' but conveys the equivalent function.
He is training at a Buddhist seminary.
A Buddhist studies institute, sometimes functioning as a seminary for Buddhist clergy.
A Shinto priest training center. Rarely called a 'seminary' in English, but may be translated as such in some contexts.
A yeshiva or rabbinical seminary for training rabbis.
A direct translation for a rabbinical seminary. Less common than Christian terms but understood.
He studied Judaism deeply at the rabbinical seminary.
The Hebrew term 'yeshiva' is sometimes used in Japanese to refer to a traditional Jewish seminary.
He studied at a yeshiva in Jerusalem.
An Islamic religious school, often called a madrasa in English.
In English, 'seminary' almost always refers to a Christian institution. In Japanese, 神学校 is the default, but it is specifically Christian. For other religions, use the appropriate specific term.
If the religious affiliation is clear from context, 神学校 may be used broadly, but it's safer to specify the religion if non-Christian.
That Buddhist seminary trains Jodo Shinshu priests.
He obtained his Shinto priest qualification at the seminary.
That Islamic seminary emphasizes memorization of the Quran.