仏壇（ぶつだん、butsudan）
- Buddhist altar

The word 仏壇 (ぶつだん) refers to a Buddhist altar found in many Japanese homes. It's a sacred space used for honoring deceased family members and practicing Buddhist rituals. The 仏壇 typically houses a Buddhist image (such as a statue of a Buddha or Bodhisattva), memorial tablets for ancestors, and items for offering, such as incense, candles, and flowers. It serves as a focal point for remembrance, prayer, and connection with the deceased.

⚫︎ 毎日、仏壇にお線香をあげます。 Translation: I offer incense to the Buddhist altar every day. ⚫︎ 祖父母の仏壇に手を合わせました。 Translation: I clasped my hands in prayer in front of my grandparents' Buddhist altar. ⚫︎ 新しい仏壇を買いました。 Translation: I bought a new Buddhist altar.

You use the word 仏壇 when discussing or referring to the Buddhist altar itself, the space it occupies, or the rituals performed there. You might talk about cleaning the 仏壇, offering prayers at the 仏壇, or the items stored within the 仏壇. It is often used in family conversations and in relation to memorial services.

⚫︎The word is primarily written using the kanji 仏壇. ⚫︎The reading is ぶつだん in hiragana. ⚫︎There is no variation in okurigana.

There are no direct synonyms for 仏壇, as it is a specific term referring to a particular type of altar.

There are no direct antonyms for 仏壇.

お盆には、親戚が集まって仏壇にお供えをします。 ・Translation: During Obon, relatives gather and make offerings at the Buddhist altar. ・Explanation: This sentence explains that the 仏壇 is a central element during the Obon festival, a time to honor the spirits of ancestors.

彼は毎朝、仏壇の前で故人の冥福を祈ります。 ・Translation: He prays for the repose of the deceased's soul in front of the Buddhist altar every morning. ・Explanation: This describes the daily practice of praying at the 仏壇 for the well-being of the deceased.

The word 仏壇 is composed of two kanji: 仏 (butsu), meaning "Buddha" or "Buddhist," and 壇 (dan), meaning "altar" or "platform." Thus, the word literally translates to "Buddhist altar."