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.
キリストの十二使徒。
The twelve apostles of Christ.
使徒たちは各地に教えを広めた。
The apostles spread the teachings throughout various regions.
彼はその思想の忠実な使徒として知られている。
He is known as a faithful disciple of that ideology.
Composed of 使 (to send; envoy) and 徒 (follower; companion). Literally "sent follower," reflecting the original meaning of the Greek "apostolos" (one who is sent).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 十二使徒: the Twelve Apostles
- 使徒行伝: Acts of the Apostles (book of the Bible)
- キリストの使徒: apostle of Christ
- 使徒パウロ: the Apostle Paul
CULTURAL NOTE:
The word is also widely recognized in modern Japanese pop culture through the anime Neon Genesis Evangelion (新世紀エヴァンゲリオン), where the antagonistic beings are called 使徒.
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 弟子: disciple; pupil — a general term for a follower or student of any teacher or master, not limited to religious contexts
- 信者: believer; devotee — focuses on faith rather than the role of being sent to teach
- 宣教師: missionary — one who actively spreads religious teachings, a later role distinct from the original apostles