堂どう

noun, noun, used as a suffix

temple; shrine; chapel

Refers to a religious building, especially a Buddhist temple or a hall within a shrine complex. Often used in compound names.

• 清きよ水みず寺でらの本ほん堂どうはとても大おおきい。

  The main hall of Kiyomizu-dera is very large.

noun, noun, used as a suffix

hall; large room

A spacious room or building for public use, such as a meeting hall, concert hall, or assembly room. Common in compounds like 講堂 (auditorium) or 食堂 (dining hall).

• 卒そつ業ぎょう式しきは大だい学がくの講こう堂どうで行おこなわれた。

  The graduation ceremony was held in the university auditorium.

suffix

company; firm

Suffix used in company names, store names, and similar commercial establishments, e.g., 〇〇堂 as a bookstore or pharmacy name.

• あの薬やっ局きょくは「山やま田だ堂どう」という名な前まえだ。

  That pharmacy is called 'Yamada-dō'.

noun, noun, used as a suffix, noun, used as a prefix

front room; parlor

Archaic term for the front room or best room in a traditional house, used for receiving guests. Compare 表座敷.

See also: 表座敷

• 昔むかしの家いえでは、堂どうの間まは客きゃくをもてなす場ば所しょだった。

  In old houses, the front room was a place to entertain guests.