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.
彼は神学校で牧師になるための勉強をしている。
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.
その神学院は福音派の伝統に立っている。
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.
彼は大神学校で哲学と神学を学んだ。
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.
彼は僧侶養成所で修行している。
He is training at a Buddhist seminary.
A Buddhist studies institute, sometimes functioning as a seminary for Buddhist clergy.
その仏教学院は浄土真宗の僧侶を養成している。
That Buddhist seminary trains Jodo Shinshu priests.
A Shinto priest training center. Rarely called a 'seminary' in English, but may be translated as such in some contexts.
神道研修所で神職の資格を取った。
He obtained his Shinto priest qualification at the seminary.
A yeshiva or rabbinical seminary for training rabbis.
A direct translation for a rabbinical seminary. Less common than Christian terms but understood.
彼はラビ養成学校でユダヤ教を深く学んだ。
He studied Judaism deeply at the rabbinical seminary.
The Hebrew term 'yeshiva' is sometimes used in Japanese to refer to a traditional Jewish seminary.
彼はエルサレムのイェシーバーで学んだ。
He studied at a yeshiva in Jerusalem.
An Islamic religious school, often called a madrasa in English.
The Arabic term 'madrasa' is commonly used in Japanese to refer to an Islamic seminary.
彼はカイロのマドラサでイスラム神学を学んだ。
He studied Islamic theology at a madrasa in Cairo.
A descriptive term for an Islamic seminary. Less common than マドラサ but easily understood.
そのイスラム神学校はコーランの暗唱を重視している。
That Islamic seminary emphasizes memorization of the Quran.
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.