霊れい柩きゅう

れ

い

きゅ

う

Meanings

Formal term for a coffin, especially one used in a funeral procession. 柩 specifically refers to a coffin with a body inside.

霊れい柩きゅう車しゃがゆっくりと通とおり過すぎた。
The hearse slowly passed by.
霊れい柩きゅうに花はなを手た向むけた。
They offered flowers to the coffin.

Kanji

霊spirits, soul
柩bier, coffin

Related words

棺ひつぎ
棺 is the general word for coffin or casket, while 霊柩 is more formal and specifically refers to a coffin containing a body, often in the context of a funeral ceremony.
棺かん桶おけ
棺桶 is a more colloquial and somewhat blunt term for coffin, whereas 霊柩 is formal and respectful.

Word family

霊れい柩きゅう自じ動どう車しゃ
hearse

Written forms

霊れい柩きゅうUsage93%
Standard kanji spelling. 柩 is a less common character, so the form 霊きゅう is also used.
霊れいきゅうUsage6%
Mixed kanji-kana spelling used when 柩 is difficult to read or write.
れいきゅうUsage2%

Etymology

Compound of 霊 (spirit, soul) and 柩 (coffin containing a body). The character 柩 is composed of 匚 (box) and 柩 (long-lasting), suggesting a container for the deceased.