Translation guide
The formal abandonment or renunciation of a religious faith, political party, or set of principles.
To express the act of abandoning or renouncing one's religious faith.
The standard term for religious apostasy. Used in formal and written contexts.
彼は背教者として教会から追放された。
He was excommunicated from the church as an apostate.
A more general phrase meaning 'to abandon one's faith'. Less technical than 背教.
彼は信仰を捨てて、無神論者になった。
He abandoned his faith and became an atheist.
A less common synonym for 背教, also meaning renunciation of faith. Often used in historical or literary contexts.
To express the act of abandoning a political party, cause, or set of principles.
A neutral way to say 'leave a political party'. Not as strong as 'apostasy' but commonly used.
彼は党を離れて無所属になった。
He left the party and became an independent.
背教 (はいきょう) is a formal, technical term often used in religious or academic contexts. 信仰を捨てる (しんこうをすてる) is a more everyday expression for abandoning faith. Use 背教 when discussing apostasy as a concept, and 信仰を捨てる when describing a personal decision in casual conversation.
The English word 'apostasy' is quite formal and specific. In many everyday situations, Japanese speakers would use simpler phrases like 信仰を捨てる or 党を離れる rather than a direct equivalent. Using 背教 in casual speech may sound overly technical or stiff.
Apostates in the Edo period faced severe persecution.
Means 'to convert' or 'to switch sides', often used for ideological shifts, especially in political or intellectual contexts. Can imply a change of allegiance.
彼は共産主義から資本主義に転向した。
He converted from communism to capitalism.
Means 'betrayal' or 'rebellion' against a cause or principle. Can be used for apostasy in a broader sense, but is less common and more literary.
彼の背反行為は党から非難された。
His act of apostasy was condemned by the party.