How to Say "Choir" in Japanese

合唱団

gasshōdan[ɡa̠ɕːo̞ːdã̠ɴ]

The Japanese word for "choir" is 合唱団 (gasshōdan).

合唱団 is used to refer to a singing group.

Meaning: singing group (noun)

What does it mean word for word?

The word is composed of 合唱 (gasshō), meaning "chorus" or "singing together" and 団 (dan), meaning "group" or "organization".

While 合唱団 (gasshōdan) refers to the organization or group of people, 合唱 (gasshō) refers to the act of choral singing itself.

gasshōdan

In Japanese schools, choral singing 合唱 is often a mandatory part of the curriculum, and many students participate in massive 'chorus festivals' called 合唱祭 where classes compete against each other.
In some classical contexts, a choir might be referred to as a 聖歌隊 (seikatai), which specifically implies a 'sacred song corps' used in religious settings.
The suffix 団 (dan) in 合唱団 is the same one used for 'troupe' or 'brigade', suggesting a sense of organized, disciplined unity rather than just a casual club.

合唱団の練習が始まります。
The choir practice is starting.
妹は合唱団に入っています。
Imouto wa gassoudan ni haitte imasu.
My younger sister is in a choir.
放課後に合唱団の練習があります。
Houkago ni gassoudan no renshuu ga arimasu.
There is choir practice after school.
彼は有名な合唱団の指揮者です。
Kare wa yuumeina gassoudan no shikisha desu.
He is the conductor of a famous choir.

Yui and Yota are talking about their school clubs.

結衣 Yui

陽太くんは、何か部活に入っている？
Yōta-kun wa, nanika bukatsu ni haitte iru?
Yota, are you in any school clubs?
陽太 Yota

うん、僕は合唱団に入っているよ。
Un, boku wa gasshōdan ni haitte iru yo.
Yeah, I'm in the choir.
結衣 Yui

すごいね！歌が得意なの？
Sugoi ne! Uta ga tokui nano?
That's great! Are you good at singing?
陽太 Yota

まあ、練習は大変だけど楽しいよ。
Maa, renshū wa taihen dakedo tanoshii yo.
Well, practice is hard, but it's fun.

Sources

⭐Share⭐ to appreciate human effort 🙏