German word

Protestant

Pronunciation

IPA/pʁoːtɛsˈtant/

Meaning

  • masculine nounProtestant

Example

Viele Protestanten besuchen am Sonntag die Kirche.

Many Protestants attend church on Sundays.

Illustration for Protestant (Protestant)

More examples

Viele Protestanten engagieren sich in sozialen Projekten.

Many Protestants are involved in social projects.

Core concept

A Christian at worship in a church tradition that emerged from the Reformation.

Common phrases

  • viele Protestanten

    many Protestants

  • evangelischer Protestant

    evangelical Protestant

  • praktizierende Protestanten

    practicing Protestants

Similar words

Evangelischer: A member of a Protestant church focused on worship, the Bible, and the Gospel.
Lutheraner: A Christian belonging to a church tradition based on Martin Luther's teachings.
Reformierter: A Christian belonging to a Reformed church tradition shaped by John Calvin and other reformers.

Definition in German

Jemand, der einer christlichen Konfession angehört, die aus der Reformation hervorgegangen ist; meist Mitglied der evangelischen Kirche.

Word origin

The term arose from the Latin verb protestari, meaning 'to declare publicly', after reform supporters issued the Protestation at Speyer in 1529.

Usage tips

  • In everyday German, evangelisch is often used for a Protestant church affiliation, while Protestant also fits historical and comparative contexts.

Opposites

Related words

  • ProtestantinProtestant womannoun
  • protestantischProtestantadjective
  • ProtestantismusProtestantismnoun

Word lists with this word