German word

Christentum

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈkʁɪstn̩tuːm/

Meaning

  • neuter nounChristianity

Example

Im Christentum feiern viele Menschen Weihnachten.

In Christianity, many people celebrate Christmas.

Illustration for Christentum (Christianity)

More examples

Im interreligiösen Dialog wird das Christentum häufig thematisiert.

In interfaith dialogue, Christianity is often discussed.

Core concept

A worldwide network of worshipping communities centered on Jesus Christ and his teachings.

Common phrases

  • Heilige Schriften im Christentum

    Holy Scriptures in Christianity

  • Glaubenstraditionen des Christentums

    faith traditions of Christianity

  • die Ausbreitung des Christentums

    the spread of Christianity

Similar words

Religion: An organized system of beliefs and rituals concerning God or the supernatural.
Kirche: A body of believers united for worship and religious activities.
Konfession: A branch of a religion sharing particular doctrines and worship practices.
Glaube: Inner conviction about God and other religious matters.

Definition in German

Christentum bezeichnet die Religion, die auf dem Leben und den Lehren von Jesus Christus basiert und in Gemeinden gelebt wird.

Word origin

The German noun developed from Middle High German kristentum, based on Christ and the suffix -tum, while Christ comes through Latin Christus from Greek Christos.

Usage tips

  • Christentum is neuter: the standard phrase for discussing Christianity generally is im Christentum, with dative neuter dem after im.

Opposites

  • Atheismusatheismnoun
  • Säkularismussecularismnoun

Related words

  • christlichChristianadjective
  • ChristianisierungChristianizationnoun

Word lists with this word