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祭典 (さいてん) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

祭さい典てん

さ

い

て

ん

Common wordFreq.FrequencyTop 20,000

Meanings

1

noun

festival; ceremony; celebration

Refers to a formal or organized festival, often with a ceremonial or commemorative character. Can be used for religious, cultural, or public events.

町まちの祭さい典てんには多おおくの人ひとが集あつまった。
Many people gathered for the town festival.

開かい

会かい

式しき

は

厳おごそ

か

な

祭さい

典てん

だっ

た

。

The opening ceremony was a solemn celebration.

Kanji

祭ritual, offer prayers, celebrate
典code, ceremony, law

Similar words

祭まつり
祭り is the common word for a lively, often traditional Japanese festival with stalls and portable shrines. 祭典 is more formal and emphasizes the ceremonial or commemorative aspect.
式しき典てん
式典 refers specifically to a formal ceremony or ritual event, such as a graduation or award ceremony. 祭典 has a broader festive or celebratory nuance.

Etymology

Compound of 祭 (sai, 'festival, ritual') and 典 (ten, 'ceremony, rite'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the combination naturally conveys a formal festive event.