Translation guide
The English word 'choir' can refer to a group of singers, the part of a church where they sit, or a group of similar instruments. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is 合唱団 (がっしょうだん) for a singing group, but other terms exist depending on context.
A group of people who sing together, especially in a church or school.
The standard word for a choir as an organized group of singers. Used for school, community, and professional choirs.
彼女は学校の合唱団に入っています。
She is in the school choir.
合唱団の練習は毎週火曜日です。
Choir practice is every Tuesday.
Specifically a church choir that sings hymns or religious music.
日曜日の礼拝で聖歌隊が歌います。
The choir sings at Sunday service.
Loanword from English, used mainly for gospel choirs or in music industry contexts. Not as common as 合唱団.
ゴスペルクワイアに参加したいです。
I want to join a gospel choir.
The part of a church where the choir sits, usually near the altar.
The choir stalls or choir area in a church.
大聖堂の聖歌隊席は美しい彫刻で飾られています。
The choir of the cathedral is decorated with beautiful carvings.
Also used for the architectural area, especially in Western church contexts.
教会のクワイアにはパイプオルガンがあります。
There is a pipe organ in the church choir.
A section of instruments in an orchestra or band, like a brass choir or woodwind choir.
Attach to instrument type to mean 'choir' or 'section'. For example, 金管群 (brass choir) or 木管群 (woodwind choir).
この曲では金管群が重要な役割を果たします。
The brass choir plays an important role in this piece.
Literally 'chorus', but can be used metaphorically for a group of instruments, e.g., 弦の合唱 (a choir of strings).
弦楽器の合唱が美しいハーモニーを奏でる。
The choir of strings plays a beautiful harmony.
合唱団 is a general choir, often secular or school-based. 聖歌隊 is specifically a church choir singing hymns. Use 聖歌隊 for religious contexts, 合唱団 otherwise.
コーラス (chorus) usually refers to the refrain of a song or a backing vocal group, not an organized choir. Saying コーラスに入っている might be understood as being in a chorus group, but 合唱団 is more precise for a choir.
合唱団で歌っています。
I sing in a choir.
合唱団の演奏は素晴らしかったです。
The choir performed beautifully.