also: きじつ
death anniversary; anniversary of a death
Refers to the anniversary of a person's death, especially in a Buddhist context where memorial rites are performed. Often used interchangeably with 命日 (めいにち), but 忌日 can carry a more formal or religious tone.
See also: 命日 (めいにち)
49th day after death; forty-ninth day memorial
Specifically the 49th day after a person's death, an important milestone in Buddhist mourning rituals. This sense is more specialized and may be less familiar to non-Buddhist or younger speakers.
See also: 七七日
Today is the anniversary of my grandmother's death, so I will go to the temple to pay my respects.
On the 49th day after death, we hold a Buddhist memorial service.
Standard kanji spelling for the anniversary of a death. The reading きにち is the most common.
Alternate reading, less common than きにち. May be encountered in older or formal contexts.
忌 (mourning, abhorrence) + 日 (day). The term originates from Buddhist practices marking days of remembrance and ritual for the deceased.