How to Say "Christian" in Japanese

クリスチャン

kurisuchan[kɯ̟ɾʲisɨt͡ɕã̠ɴ]

The English word 'christian' can be translated into Japanese as クリスチャン (kurisuchan) or キリスト教徒.

Meaning: member of the Christian religion (noun)

Ways to say it

“christian” in Japanese
Japanese	Romanization (Wiktionary)	IPA
クリスチャン	kurisuchan	[kɯ̟ɾʲisɨt͡ɕã̠ɴ] (narrow)
キリスト教徒	Kirisuto kyōto	[kʲiɾʲisɨto̞ kʲo̞ːto̞] (narrow)

A person who is a member of the Christian religion can be referred to using either クリスチャン or キリスト教徒.

The term キリスト教徒 is composed of キリスト (Christ), 教 (religion/teaching) and 徒 (follower/disciple).

While both terms refer to a follower of Christianity, キリスト教徒 is a more formal term often used in academic, journalistic or official contexts.

To use 'Christian' as an adjective, such as when describing 'Christian music' or 'Christianity's influence', use the form キリスト教の.

The romanization is kurisuchan.

Historically, キリスト教徒 were severely persecuted during the Edo period, leading to the creation of Kakure Kirishitan or 'Hidden Christians' who practiced their faith in secret for centuries.
In Japan, many people describe themselves as クリスチャン during their wedding or Christmas celebrations, despite not attending church or following the faith in their daily lives.
The Japanese name for Christ, キリスト, is actually a phonetic transcription of the Greek 'Christos' via Portuguese, rather than a direct borrowing from the English 'Christ'.

トムはクリスチャンなの？
Is Tom a Christian?
This sentence is useful for asking if someone is a Christian using クリスチャン.
Tatoeba #8746138 by bunbuku, translation #2262065 by CK
クリスチャンになりたいです。
I would like to become a Christian.
This sentence is useful for expressing a desire to become a Christian using クリスチャン.
Tatoeba #11851940 by small_snow, translation #10160126 by ddnktr
「ムスリムさん？」「そうよ。あなたは？」「私はクリスチャン」
"Are you a Muslim?" "Yes, what about you?" "I'm a Christian."
This sentence is useful for a conversation about religious identity using クリスチャン.
Tatoeba #13028726 by small_snow, translation #13059567 by araneo
彼はキリスト教の人です。
He is a Christian.
11 more sentences on Tatoeba

Yota and Yui are talking about their backgrounds over coffee.

陽太 Yota

結衣さんはクリスチャンなの？
Yui-san wa kurisuchan nano?
Yui, are you a Christian?
結衣 Yui

うん、クリスチャンだよ。
Un, kurisuchan da yo.
Yes, I am a Christian.
陽太 Yota

そうなんだ。僕は無宗教だよ。
Sounanda. Boku wa mushukyou da yo.
I see. I don't have a religion.
結衣 Yui

そうなんだね。
Sounanda ne.
I see.

Sources

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