信者

• Reading: しんじゃ
• Romaji: shinja
• Kanji breakdown: 信 (shin) — believe, trust, faith; 者 (sha/ja) — person
• Pronunciation: /ɕiɴ.dʑa/

Meaning

Believer; follower; devotee; adherent of a religion or cause.

A noun originally meaning a religious believer or follower. In modern usage, it has expanded to include devoted fans or supporters of a brand, celebrity, or ideology — sometimes used sarcastically to describe blind devotion. The religious sense remains primary in formal contexts.

Examples

1. その宗教には世界中に数百万人の信者がいる。 That religion has millions of followers around the world.
2. 彼はあのブランドの熱烈な信者だ。 He's a die-hard devotee of that brand.
3. 信者たちは毎週日曜日に集まって祈りを捧げる。 The faithful gather every Sunday to pray.

Usage Guide

Context: religion, fandom, social commentary

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 信 (shin, believe/trust/faith) + 者 (sha/ja, person). Literally 'a person who believes.' The character 信 carries connotations of trust, sincerity, and devotion.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal