Chrīstiānus
masculine
The English word 'christian' is Chrīstiānus in Latin. Wiktionary also lists Chrīstiāna.
Meaning: member of the Christian religion (noun)
Ways to say it
| Latin | Note |
|---|---|
| Chrīstiānus | masculine |
| Chrīstiāna | feminine |
The term refers to a member of the Christian religion.
Which one should you use?
Use the masculine form Chrīstiānus when referring to a male Christian and the feminine form Chrīstiāna when referring to a female Christian.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Ecclesiastical Latin, the word is commonly expressed as Christianus.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine plural form for 'Christians' is Chrīstiānī. Additionally, both Chrīstiānus and Chrīstiāna can function as male and female given names respectively.
Did you know?
- In the early Roman Empire, the term Chrīstiānus was often used by outsiders as a derogatory slur or a legal label for criminals rather than a badge of faith.
- The word Chrīstiānus is built upon the name Christus, which is a Greek-derived title rather than a proper name. It functions more like saying someone is a 'follower of the Anointed One'.
- Because the suffix -ianus was often used for political factions, like the 'Marians' and 'Sullans', the word Chrīstiānus originally implied a political sect.
Examples in context
- Chrīstiānus est homo sapiens.A Christian is a wise man.
- Iste vir Chrīstiānus est.That man is a Christian.
- Ego Chrīstiānus sum.I am a Christian.
Example conversation
Gaius and Julia are discussing the faith of a neighbor.
- GaiusEstne Marcus Chrīstiānus?Is Marcus a Christian?
- JuliaIta, Marcus est Chrīstiānus.Yes, Marcus is a Christian.
- GaiusUbi legit libros suos?Where does he read his books?
- JuliaIn domo sua legit.He reads in his home.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “christian” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
