塔(とう)

とう

noun

tower; pagoda

building

1. tower; pagoda

A tall, narrow building or structure, either freestanding or part of a larger building.

塔(とう)が右(みぎ)に傾(かたむ)いている。

The tower is leaning to the right.

東京(とうきょう)タワーは有名(ゆうめい)な塔(とう)だ。

Tokyo Tower is a famous tower.

お寺(てら)には五重(ごじゅう)の塔(とう)がある。

The temple has a five-story pagoda.

塔(とう) covers both modern towers and traditional pagodas. It refers to any tall, narrow structure, whether freestanding or part of a building.

Compounds

管制(かんせい)塔(とう): control tower
時計(とけい)塔(とう): clock tower
鉄塔(てっとう): steel tower, pylon
灯台(とうだい): lighthouse
五重(ごじゅう)の塔(とう): five-story pagoda
三重(さんじゅう)の塔(とう): three-story pagoda

Cultural note

In Japanese Buddhism, pagodas originally served as reliquaries for Buddha's remains. They are iconic features of temple architecture. Famous examples include the 五重(ごじゅう)塔(とう) at 法隆寺(ほうりゅうじ) and 東寺(とうじ).

Related Words

Related: 五重(ごじゅう)の塔(とう) (five-story pagoda)

general

Added 2026.2.4 19:52 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

09500/09944_tou