Japanese word

信者

Pronunciation

Romajishinja

Meaning

  • nounbeliever

Example

彼はその宗教の信者です。kare wa so no shū kyō no shin ja de su

He is a believer in that religion.

Illustration for 信者 (believer)

More examples

その宗教には若い信者も多くいます。so no shū kyō ni wa waka i shin ja mo ō ku i ma su

That religion also has many young believers.

Core concept

Centers on a person who accepts a religion or teaching as true and lives according to its beliefs.

Common phrases

  • 熱心な信者nes shin na shin ja

    devout believer

  • 信者になるshin ja ni na ru

    become a believer

  • 信者を増やすshin ja o fu ya su

    gain more followers

Similar words

信徒shinto: A member of a religious group who follows its teachings and practices.
教徒kyōto: A person who follows the teachings of a particular religion.
門徒monto: A follower of a particular Buddhist sect or religious teacher.

Definition in Japanese

特定の宗教や教えを信じ、それに従う人。toku tei no shū kyō ya oshi e o shin ji so re ni shitaga u hito

Word origin

The word 信者 (shinja) is formed from 信 (shin, "belief") and 者 (sha, "person"), so its structure describes a person who holds a religious belief.

Usage tips

  • The English word believer can describe someone who accepts an idea, while 信者 (shinja) usually refers to a person devoted to a religion or religious teaching.

Other meanings

  • followernoun
  • devoteenoun

Opposites

  • 無神論者mushinronshaatheistnoun

Word lists with this word