Translation guide
A person holding beliefs contrary to orthodox religious doctrine, or more broadly, someone with unorthodox or dissenting views.
A person who holds beliefs that go against the official teachings of a religion, especially Christianity.
Standard term for a religious heretic. Used in historical and modern contexts.
Literally 'person of a different religion', often used for 'heretic' in a broader sense, but can also mean 'pagan' or 'heathen'.
Archaic or literary term for a heretic or follower of a heretical sect. Rare in modern usage.
A person who holds opinions that are radically at odds with what is generally accepted, especially in a particular field.
Can refer to the heresy itself or a person with unorthodox views. Often used in phrases like (heretical ~).
Avoid directly translating 'heretic' as 異端者 in non-religious contexts unless the nuance of unorthodoxy is strong. In casual conversation, describing someone as a 'maverick' or 'rebel' might be more natural.
He's a heretic (in his thinking).
彼は異端者として火刑に処された。
He was burned at the stake as a heretic.
In the Middle Ages, heretics were persecuted.
He was exiled as a heretic.
He is regarded as a heretic in the scientific community.
Literally 'heretic child', used for a maverick or iconoclast in a field. Common in media.
He's the heretic of the industry.
Literally 'different element', used for a person who doesn't fit in or holds dissenting views within a group.
He was treated as a heretic within the organization.