1.
visiting a grave; paying respects at a grave
The act of visiting a family grave or memorial to pay respects to the deceased. This is an important cultural practice in Japan, especially during Obon, the spring and autumn equinoxes, and the New Year.
週末に墓参に行く。
I'm going to visit the grave this weekend.
お盆には毎年墓参を欠かさない。
I never fail to visit the grave every year during Obon.
祖父母の墓参のあと、家族で食事をするのが恒例になっている。
It has become a family tradition to have a meal together after visiting our grandparents' graves.
A compound of 墓 (grave) and 参 (visit, worship). Short for 墓参り, which is the more colloquial expression. 墓参 is used in slightly more formal or written contexts, while 墓参り is the everyday spoken form.
Grave visiting is a deeply rooted practice in Japanese culture. Families typically clean the gravestone, offer flowers, incense, and water, and pray before the grave. The most common times are during お盆 (mid-August), 春分の日 (spring equinox), 秋分の日 (autumn equinox), and 命日 (death anniversaries).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 墓参に行く: to go visit a grave
- 墓参を済ませる: to finish visiting the grave
- 墓参を欠かさない: to never miss visiting the grave
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 墓参り: visiting a grave — the everyday colloquial form; same meaning but more casual
- 参拝: worship, paying a visit (to a shrine or temple) — broader term not limited to graves
- 法事: Buddhist memorial service — a formal ceremony held at set intervals after death