How to Say "Statue" in Japanese

彫像

chōzō

The Japanese word for "statue" is 彫像 (chōzō).

彫像 is used to refer specifically to a three-dimensional work of art.

Meaning: three-dimensional work of art (noun)

Which one should you use?

While 彫像 refers specifically to a statue, 彫刻 is a more general term for sculpture as an art form.

chōzō

If a statue is made of clay rather than carved, Japanese speakers will typically abandon the word 彫像 entirely in favor of 塑像 (sozō).
In Japanese Buddhism, statues of the Buddha are not just art but are treated as living beings. People may offer incense or water to a 像 as if they were speaking to a person.
While 彫像 is a formal term for a statue, if you are talking about a small, decorative figurine on a shelf, Japanese speakers will almost always use the word 置物 (okimono) instead.

その彫像には頭がない。
The statue has no head.
This sentence is useful for seeing how to describe a physical feature of the 彫像.
Tatoeba #1488015 by bunbuku, translation #1115778 by CM
この公園には有名な動物の像があります。
There are famous animal statues in this park.
彼女は素敵な彫刻像を作っています。
She creates beautiful statues.
美術館でその彫像を見ました。
Bijutsukan de sono chōzō o mimashita.
I saw that statue at the art museum.

Ren and Misaki are visiting an art museum.

蓮 Ren

美咲、あの彫像を見て。
Misaki, ano chōzō o mite.
Misaki, look at that statue.
美咲 Misaki

本当だ。すごい迫力だね。
Hontō da. Sugoi hakuryoku da ne.
You're right. It's so powerful.
蓮 Ren

何でできているんだろう。
Nande dekite iru ndarō.
I wonder what it's made of.
美咲 Misaki

大理石じゃないかな。
Dairiseki janai kana.
Maybe it's marble.

Sources

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