Translation guide
The English word "worship" covers a range of religious and secular meanings. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is 礼拝 (reihai) for religious services, but other words like 崇拝 (sūhai) for deep reverence or idolization, and 参拝 (sanpai) for visiting a shrine or temple, are used depending on context. This guide helps you choose the right expression.
Referring to a formal religious gathering, prayer, or ritual, especially in Christianity or Islam.
The standard term for a worship service, especially in Christian contexts. Can be used as a noun or a suru-verb (礼拝する).
日曜日の礼拝に参加した。
I attended Sunday worship.
教会で礼拝する。
To worship at church.
Specifically a worship service or ceremony.
礼拝式は午前10時からです。
The worship service starts at 10 a.m.
Expressing profound respect, love, or devotion, often in a religious sense but also metaphorically.
Conveys deep reverence, worship, or adoration. Can be used for gods, but also for idols or abstract concepts. Often implies a sense of awe.
神を崇拝する。
To worship God.
彼は英雄崇拝の気持ちが強い。
He has a strong sense of hero worship.
A common verb meaning to worship, pray to, or bow before. Used for praying to gods or Buddhas, often with hands together. More physical and everyday than 崇拝.
To revere, worship, or look up to. Slightly literary. Often used for gods, ancestors, or highly respected figures.
The act of going to a Shinto shrine or Buddhist temple to pay respects, pray, or worship.
Specifically refers to visiting a shrine or temple to worship. Very common for both Shinto and Buddhist contexts.
初詣で神社に参拝する。
To worship at a shrine for the first visit of the new year.
お寺に参拝に行った。
I went to worship at the temple.
A more casual, everyday term for visiting a shrine or temple to pray. Often used in the phrase お参りに行く.
Excessive admiration or devotion to a celebrity, hero, or object, often called 'worship' in English.
As above, but used for non-religious adoration. Common in compounds like 偶像崇拝 (idol worship).
彼女はその歌手を崇拝している。
She worships that singer.
Literally 'fanatical fan'. Often used to describe someone who 'worships' a celebrity, without the religious connotation.
彼はそのバンドの熱狂的なファンだ。
He worships that band. (He's a fanatical fan.)
Used as a form of address for certain officials like mayors or magistrates in the UK and some Commonwealth countries.
There is no direct equivalent. Use the person's actual title, such as 市長 (mayor) or 裁判官 (judge), often with 様 or 殿 for formal address.
市長様
Your Worship (to a mayor)
礼拝 (reihai) is for formal religious services, especially Christian. 崇拝 (sūhai) is for deep reverence or idolization, religious or not. 参拝 (sanpai) is specifically for visiting a shrine or temple to pray. Use 参拝 when you physically go to a religious site, 礼拝 when you attend a service, and 崇拝 when you express adoration.
English often uses 'worship' casually (e.g., 'I worship chocolate'). Japanese does not use 崇拝する for such trivial things; it sounds overly dramatic. Use 大好き (daisuki) or 夢中 (muchū) instead.
Every morning I worship at the family Buddhist altar.
神社で神様を拝む。
To worship the deity at a shrine.
祖先をあがめる。
To worship one's ancestors.
近所の神社にお参りに行く。
I go to worship at the local shrine.