使徒
shǐtú
The English word 'apostle' is translated into Chinese as 使徒 (shǐtú).
The term refers to any of the group of twelve disciples.
Meaning: any of the group of twelve disciples (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of 使 (shǐ), meaning 'to send' or 'messenger' and 徒 (tú), meaning 'follower' or 'disciple'.
How do you pronounce it?
shǐtú
Did you know?
- In Chinese Buddhism, the term 徒 is used differently to describe a 'lay disciple' who has not taken full monastic vows, contrasting with the biblical 'apostle'.
- If you call someone a 徒弟 (túdì) in a traditional martial arts or craft setting, you are referring to an apprentice in a master-student relationship rather than a religious follower.
- The character 徒 can also be used to describe something 'vain' or 'in vain', such as in the phrase 徒劳, meaning 'futile effort'.
Examples in context
- 保罗是基督教的使徒之一。Paul is one of the apostles of Christianity.
- 他是耶稣的使徒。Tā shì Yēsū de shǐtú.He is an apostle of Jesus.
- 十二使徒中有很多圣徒。Shí'èr shǐtú zhōng yǒu hěnduō shèngtú.There are many saints among the twelve apostles.
- 书里记载了使徒的故事。Shū lǐ jìzǎi le shǐtú de gùshì.The book records the stories of the apostles.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a religious painting in a museum.
- 梓涵 Zihan志强，你看这幅画里有谁？Zhìqiáng, nǐ kàn zhè fú huà lǐ yǒu shuí?Zhiqiang, look who is in this painting?
- 志强 Zhiqiang我觉得那是使徒彼得。Wǒ juéde nà shì shǐtú Bǐdé.I think that is the apostle Peter.
- 梓涵 Zihan他看起来很虔诚。Tā kàn qǐlái hěn qiánchéng.He looks very devout.
- 志强 Zhiqiang是的，使徒们的信仰很坚定。Shì de, shǐtúmen de xìnyǎng hěn jiāndìng.Yes, the faith of the apostles was very firm.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “apostle” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
