祈祷

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 祈祷, read きとう, combines praying 祈 with supplication 祷 as a term for ritual prayer.
• Basic usage: It denotes ritual prayer addressed to a deity or supernatural being, as in 静かに祈祷する.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Tone and register
  • It has a more formal ritual or religious character than general personal prayer 祈り.