煉獄
rengoku[ɾẽ̞ŋɡo̞kɯ̟]
The Japanese term rengoku refers to purgatory.
rengoku refers to a place of purifying fire where souls wait to enter heaven. The term 煉獄 is the standard way to express purgatory in formal settings, literature and academic discussions.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of two parts: the first kanji 煉 refers to the process of smelting or refining metal with fire, and the second kanji 獄 refers to a prison or a place of punishment.
How do you pronounce it?
rengoku
Did you know?
- The term rengoku is a Western-style loan translation, or calque, used to translate the Catholic concept of Purgatory into Japanese. It is not a native Buddhist term for the afterlife.
- In modern Japanese pop culture, specifically in the series 'Demon Slayer', the character 'Kyojuro Rengoku' bears this name, linking the concept of fire and intense spirit to the character.
- The kanji 獄 in rengoku is also used in the word 地獄, which means 'hell'. This creates a strong linguistic link between the purifying fire of purgatory and the eternal punishment of hell.
Examples in context
- 「煉獄くん」と短く呼んでいます。I call him "Rengoku-kun" for short.
- その物語には、煉獄という場所が登場します。Sono monogatari ni wa, rengoku to iu basho ga toujou shimasu.A place called rengoku appears in that story.
- 煉獄は魂が天国へ向かうための場所です。Rengoku wa tamashii ga tengoku e mukau tame no basho desu.Rengoku is a place where souls head toward heaven.
- 浄化の火が燃える煉獄を想像してください。Jouka no hi ga moeru rengoku o souzou shite kudasai.Please imagine a rengoku where purifying fires burn.
Example conversation
Misaki and Kenta are discussing a religious painting in a museum.
- 美咲 Misakiこの絵は煉獄を描いているみたいね。kono e wa rengoku o egaite iru mitai ne.This painting seems to depict purgatory, doesn't it?
- 健太 Kenta本当だ。とても暗い雰囲気だね。hontou da. totemo kurai fun'iki da ne.You're right. It has a very dark atmosphere.
- 美咲 Misaki煉獄で浄化されるまで待つのかしら。rengoku de jouka sareru made matsu no kashira.I wonder if they wait until they are purified in purgatory.
- 健太 Kentaきっとそういう意味だと思うよ。kitto sou iu imi da to omou yo.I'm sure that's what it means.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 煉獄, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
