祷
pray
Readings
On'yomi
- トウ
Kun'yomi
- いの.る
- いの.り
- まつ.る
Meaning
祷 centers on the act of praying, specifically making a request or offering to a deity or spirit.
Most common words using 祷
- 祈祷きとう
prayer; grace (at meals)
- 黙祷もくとう
silent prayer
- 主祷文しゅとうぶん
the Lord's Prayer
- 加持祈祷かじきとう
incantation and prayer
- 時祷書じとうしょ
book of hours (devotional book popular in the Middle Ages)
- 晩祷ばんとう
vespers; evening prayer
- 祈祷会きとうかい
prayer meeting
- 祈祷室きとうしつ
oratory; prayer room
- 祈祷師きとうし
medicine man; shaman; faith healer; witch doctor; exorcist
- 祈祷書きとうしょ
prayer book
- 祈祷者きとうしゃ
person who prays
- 祈祷課題きとうかだい
prayer request; request for prayers
- 祝祷しゅくとう
benediction; blessing
Study
Etymology
祷 is the modern simplified form of 禱. The older form combines 示 (altar, spirit) with 壽, which likely contributed the sound and the idea of long life or blessing. The modern right side 寿 is a simplification of 壽.
Meaning mnemonic
The left side 示 represents an altar or spirit. The right side 寿 suggests a long life. Picture kneeling at an altar, praying for a long and blessed life.
Reading mnemonic
For トウ, imagine praying at a tall tower: tower -> トウ, and your prayers rise up from the altar.