Translation guide
This guide helps you express the concept of 'religious' in Japanese, covering personal faith, institutional religion, and figurative devotion.
She is deeply religious.
An adjective meaning devout or pious. Often used for someone who regularly practices their religion.
My grandmother is a devout person.
A slightly more formal or literary adjective meaning pious or devout. Often used in written contexts.
He is a devout Christian.
Referring to things associated with a religion, such as institutions, activities, or objects.
The most direct translation, meaning 'of religion' or 'religious'. Use as a modifier.
Religious freedom is a basic human right.
He participated in a religious ceremony.
An adjectival form meaning 'religious' in a broader sense, often implying a religious nature or character.
That movie has religious themes.
Describing a non-religious but intense dedication to something, like a hobby or cause.
Saying 「彼は宗教的だ」 (He is religious) can sound unnatural or overly analytical. It's better to use phrases like 「信仰心が厚い」 or 「信心深い」 to describe a person's devoutness.
「宗教の」 is a simple possessive modifier (religious freedom = 宗教の自由). 「宗教的な」 is an adjectival form that describes something as having a religious quality or nature (religious experience = 宗教的な体験). In many cases they overlap, but 「宗教的な」 can sound more abstract.