洗礼
Meanings
1
Christian religious rite of initiation. Used in church contexts.
He was baptized at church last week.
2
initiation; baptism (into a group)
Figurative use for joining a society, profession, or group, often involving a challenging first experience.
The new employee training is like an initiation into the company.
3
first experience; baptism by fire
Refers to a tough or memorable first encounter with something, often used in phrases like 洗礼を受ける.
On my first overseas business trip, I got a baptism by fire with the language barrier.
Usage patterns
- 洗礼を受けるto be baptized; to undergo a tough first experience
He got a harsh baptism into the professional world.
- 洗礼を施すto administer baptism (to someone)
The priest baptized the young child.
- 〈事〉の洗礼を受けるto be initiated (roughly) into X; to get one's first taste of X
The rookie got baptized by the fans in his debut match.