使徒(しと)

しと
noun
apostle; disciple
person
1. apostle; disciple
In Christianity, one of the twelve original followers of Jesus Christ sent to spread his teachings. Also used more broadly for a devoted follower or advocate of a cause or leader.
キリストの十二(じゅうに)使徒(しと)。
The twelve apostles of Christ.
使徒(しと)たちは各地(かくち)に教(おし)えを広(ひろ)めた。
The apostles spread the teachings throughout various regions.
彼(かれ)はその思想(しそう)の忠実(ちゅうじつ)な使徒(しと)として知(し)られている。
He is known as a faithful disciple of that ideology.

Composed of 使(し) (to send; envoy) and 徒(と) (follower; companion). Literally "sent follower," reflecting the original meaning of the Greek "apostolos" (one who is sent).

Common collocations

  • 十二(じゅうに)使徒(しと): the Twelve Apostles
  • 使徒(しと)行伝(ぎょうでん): Acts of the Apostles (book of the Bible)
  • キリストの使徒(しと): apostle of Christ
  • 使徒(しと)パウロ: the Apostle Paul

Cultural note

The word is also widely recognized in modern Japanese pop culture through the anime Neon Genesis Evangelion (新世紀(しんせいき)エヴァンゲリオン), where the antagonistic beings are called 使徒(しと).

Similar words

  • 弟子(でし): disciple; pupil — a general term for a follower or student of any teacher or master, not limited to religious contexts
  • 信者(しんじゃ): believer; devotee — focuses on faith rather than the role of being sent to teach
  • 宣教師(せんきょうし): missionary — one who actively spreads religious teachings, a later role distinct from the original apostles

Related Words

Compare: 弟子(でし) (disciple)
Compare: 信者(しんじゃ) (believer)
Compare: 宣教師(せんきょうし) (missionary)
general
Added 2026.4.30 22:34 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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