1.
chapel; prayer hall; place of worship
A building or room used for Christian worship services or prayer. Can refer to a standalone chapel or a worship space within a larger building like a university or hospital.
Composed of 礼拝 (worship, prayer) + 堂 (hall, building). Refers primarily to Christian chapels and prayer halls. In Japan, 礼拝堂 is found at Christian schools, hospitals, wedding venues, and churches.
Pronunciation
れいはいどう is the standard reading and the one used for Christian (and Islamic) places of worship. In Buddhism, 礼拝 itself (worship) is traditionally read らいはい.
Common collocations
- 礼拝堂で礼拝する: to worship in the chapel
- 礼拝堂に集まる: to gather in the chapel
- 大学の礼拝堂: university chapel
- 礼拝堂の鐘: chapel bell