福音(ふくいん)

ふくいん
noun
gospel; good news; glad tidings
formal
1. gospel; the Gospels
The Christian Gospels — the teachings of Jesus Christ or the books of the New Testament that record them (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John).
福音書(ふくいんしょ)を読(よ)む。
To read the Gospels.
牧師(ぼくし)が福音(ふくいん)を説(と)いた。
The pastor preached the gospel.
宣教師(せんきょうし)たちは各地(かくち)で福音(ふくいん)を広(ひろ)めた。
The missionaries spread the gospel in various regions.
2. good news; glad tidings; a welcome development
Used more broadly to mean welcome or uplifting news, especially something that brings hope or relief to people in difficulty.
この新薬(しんやく)は患者(かんじゃ)にとって福音(ふくいん)だ。
This new medicine is good news for patients.
補助金(ほじょきん)の増額(ぞうがく)は中小企業(ちゅうしょうきぎょう)にとって福音(ふくいん)となった。
The increase in subsidies was welcome news for small and medium-sized businesses.
長年(ながねん)苦(くる)しんできた人々(ひとびと)にとって、この技術(ぎじゅつ)はまさに福音(ふくいん)と言(い)える。
For people who have suffered for years, this technology can truly be called a godsend.

Literally "blessed sound/message." Composed of 福(ふく) (blessing, fortune) + 音(いん) (sound, news). Has both a specific religious meaning (the Christian Gospel) and a secular meaning (any welcome news).

Common collocations

Usage

The secular sense (sense 2) is common in news media and formal writing. The pattern 〜にとって福音(ふくいん)だ ("is good news for ~") is especially frequent. Despite its religious origin, the word is widely understood and used by non-Christians in Japan.

Similar words

  • 朗報(ろうほう): good news — a more neutral term for positive news, without religious overtones. 福音(ふくいん) carries a stronger sense of salvation or deliverance.
  • 吉報(きっぽう): good tidings — somewhat literary; often used for personal good news like exam results or marriage.
general
Added 2026.5.7 20:16 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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