Translation guide
This guide helps you express the concept of 'religious' in Japanese, covering personal faith, institutional religion, and figurative devotion.
Describing a person who is religious, devout, or has strong faith.
A common, natural way to say someone is deeply religious or has strong faith. Literally 'faith is thick'.
彼女は信仰心が厚い。
She is deeply religious.
An adjective meaning devout or pious. Often used for someone who regularly practices their religion.
祖母は信心深い人です。
My grandmother is a devout person.
A slightly more formal or literary adjective meaning pious or devout. Often used in written contexts.
彼は敬虔なクリスチャンだ。
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.
宗教の自由は基本的人権だ。
Religious freedom is a basic human right.
彼は宗教の儀式に参加した。
He participated in a religious ceremony.
An adjectival form meaning 'religious' in a broader sense, often implying a religious nature or character.
その映画には宗教的なテーマがある。
That movie has religious themes.
Describing a non-religious but intense dedication to something, like a hobby or cause.
Means 'enthusiastic about' or 'devoted to'. Use with a noun to indicate what someone is zealous about.
彼は健康に熱心だ。
He is religious about his health.
Literally 'never miss doing ~', used to describe a habitual, almost ritualistic dedication.
彼女は毎朝のジョギングを欠かさない。
She is religious about her morning jog.
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.