異教徒

• Reading: いきょうと
• Romaji: ikyouto
• Kanji breakdown: 異 (i) — different, strange; 教 (kyou) — teaching, religion; 徒 (to) — follower, person
• Pronunciation: /i.kjoː.to/

Meaning

Pagan; heretic; heathen. A person who holds religious beliefs different from the dominant or orthodox faith.

A noun composed of 異 (different) + 教 (teaching/religion) + 徒 (follower). Used to refer to someone whose religious beliefs differ from the mainstream or established religion. In historical contexts, often used by one religious group to describe outsiders. In modern Japanese, appears primarily in historical, literary, and religious discussions rather than everyday conversation. Related terms include 教徒 (kyouto, believer) and 信者 (shinja, believer).

Examples

1. 中世ヨーロッパでは異教徒は迫害を受けた。 In medieval Europe, pagans were persecuted.
2. その国では異教徒に対する差別が根強く残っている。 In that country, discrimination against those of different faiths remains deeply rooted.
3. 歴史の授業で異教徒の扱いについて学んだ。 In history class, we learned about how heretics were treated.

Usage Guide

Context: history, religion, literature

Tone: serious

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese: 異 (i, different/strange) + 教 (kyou, teaching/religion) + 徒 (to, follower/person). Literally 'follower of a different teaching.'

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal