1.
proselytizing; missionary work; spreading a religion
The act of spreading religious teachings and trying to convert people to a particular faith.
宣教師が日本で布教活動を行った。
Missionaries carried out evangelization activities in Japan.
キリスト教の布教は戦国時代に始まった。
The spread of Christianity began in the Warring States period.
江戸幕府はキリスト教の布教を禁止し、厳しく取り締まった。
The Edo shogunate banned Christian proselytizing and cracked down on it severely.
2.
enthusiastically promoting; evangelizing
Informally used to describe passionately recommending a hobby, product, or interest to others, trying to win them over. Common in internet and otaku culture.
友達に好きなバンドを布教した。
I evangelized my favorite band to my friends.
このアニメ、絶対おもしろいから布教させて。
This anime is definitely great—let me convert you.
SNSで自分の推しを布教するファンが多い。
Many fans use social media to promote their favorite idol.
USAGE:
布教 is a compound of 布 (to spread) and 教 (teaching). Originally a religious term, it has been adopted in informal Japanese to mean enthusiastically recommending something to others.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 布教活動 (missionary activities)
- 布教する (to proselytize; to promote enthusiastically)
- 推しを布教する (to promote one's favorite idol/character)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 布教: spreading a faith or interest (original: religious; extended: hobby/fandom)
- 伝道: evangelism, preaching (specifically Christian)
- 宣教: missionary work (formal, institutional)