異教(いきょう)

いきょう
noun
paganism; a different religion; heathenism
1. paganism; a religion different from one's own
A religion or faith other than the one regarded as standard by the speaker. From the standpoint of a given religion, it labels other belief systems, often with a historical or judgmental connotation.
異教(いきょう)の神(かみ)を信(しん)じる。
To believe in a pagan god.
その地域(ちいき)には古(ふる)い異教(いきょう)の風習(ふうしゅう)が残(のこ)っている。
Old pagan customs remain in that region.
布教(ふきょう)の過程(かてい)で、異教(いきょう)の儀式(ぎしき)が禁止(きんし)されることもあった。
In the course of proselytizing, pagan rituals were sometimes prohibited.

Composed of 異(い) (different) + 教(きょう) (religion, teaching). Labels a religion other than one's own, often in historical or religious-conflict contexts. Refers to the belief system itself; a follower of it is an 異教徒(いきょうと).

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 異教(いきょう)の神(かみ): a pagan god
  • 異教(いきょう)の風習(ふうしゅう): pagan customs
  • 異教(いきょう)を信(しん)じる: to follow a different religion

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 異教徒(いきょうと): pagan; nonbeliever — the person, not the belief system
  • 邪教(じゃきょう): evil cult; heretical religion — explicitly condemns the religion as wicked
general
Added 2026.7.15 3:20
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