Translation guide
The English word 'tomb' refers to a burial place, often a stone structure or chamber. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is 墓 (haka), but depending on the type, size, or historical context, other words like 墓地 (bochi) or 古墳 (kofun) may be used.
The learner wants to refer to a burial place in general, such as a grave in a cemetery or a family tomb.
The most common and general word for 'grave' or 'tomb'. It can refer to a single grave marker or a family burial plot.
祖父の墓はあの寺にある。
My grandfather's tomb is at that temple.
墓参りに行く。
I'm going to visit the family grave.
Polite form of 墓, often used when referring to someone else's family grave or in respectful contexts.
お墓はどちらですか。
Where is your family tomb?
Refers to a cemetery or graveyard as a whole, rather than an individual tomb.
この墓地には古い墓が多い。
There are many old tombs in this cemetery.
The learner wants to refer to a large, ancient tomb, especially from the Kofun period in Japan.
Specifically refers to ancient burial mounds, particularly the keyhole-shaped tombs from the Kofun period (3rd to 7th century).
仁徳天皇陵は日本最大の古墳です。
The tomb of Emperor Nintoku is the largest kofun in Japan.
Used for imperial mausoleums. Often appears in the names of emperors' tombs.
この陵は天皇の墓とされている。
This mausoleum is believed to be the tomb of an emperor.
The learner wants to describe the internal structure of a tomb, such as a burial chamber.
A stone chamber, often used for burial in ancient tombs. Common in archaeological contexts.
古墳の石室から副葬品が見つかった。
Grave goods were found in the stone chamber of the tomb.
The burial chamber within a tomb, especially in archaeological or historical descriptions.
The learner wants to describe a grand, monumental tomb, such as the Taj Mahal.
A mausoleum or shrine-like tomb, often for a revered person. Used for grand structures like the Taj Mahal.
タージ・マハルはムガル帝国の霊廟です。
The Taj Mahal is a mausoleum of the Mughal Empire.
A mausoleum or shrine, often part of a compound. Can be used for Confucian or ancestral halls.
孔子廟は中国各地にある。
Confucian temples are found throughout China.
墓 (haka) is the general term for a grave or tomb, including modern family graves. 古墳 (kofun) refers specifically to ancient burial mounds, especially from the Kofun period. 墓地 (bochi) means a cemetery or graveyard as a whole, not an individual tomb.
この墓地にはたくさんの墓がある。
There are many graves in this cemetery.
古墳は古い時代の墓です。
Kofun are tombs from ancient times.
When talking about visiting a family grave, the common phrase is 墓参り (hakamairi). It is a cultural practice, especially during Obon and the equinoxes.
A stone coffin was placed in the burial chamber.