jīdū: 基督 - Christ

• Keywords: 基督, jidu, Ji Du, Christ, Jesus Christ, Christianity in China, 基督教, Chinese for Christ, Yēsū Jīdū, Christian
• Summary: Learn the meaning and use of 基督 (jīdū), the Chinese word for “Christ.” This page breaks down the characters, explores its cultural context within Christianity in China, and provides numerous example sentences. Discover the crucial difference between 基督 (jīdū) and 耶稣 (Yēsū), and understand how this important religious term is used in modern Chinese conversation, historical discussions, and religious practice.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): jīdū
• Part of Speech: Proper Noun
• HSK Level: N/A
• Concise Definition: Christ; the central figure of Christianity.
• In a Nutshell: 基督 (jīdū) is the standard Chinese term for “Christ,” the title given to Jesus of Nazareth. It's a phonetic transliteration, meaning the characters were chosen to sound like the original word, not for their individual meanings. It carries the full theological weight of “the anointed one” or “the Messiah” and is used in religious, historical, and academic contexts.

• 基 (jī): This character's primary meaning is “base,” “foundation,” or “fundamental.” In this word, however, it is used almost exclusively for its sound, approximating the “Chri-” or “Ji-” sound.
• 督 (dū): This character means “to supervise” or “to direct.” Like 基, it was chosen to phonetically approximate the “-st” or “-du” sound.

When combined, 基督 (jīdū) does not mean “foundation supervisor.” It is a specific phonetic loanword created to represent the concept and sound of “Christ” in Chinese. Recognizing it as a sound-based translation is key to understanding it correctly.

While Christianity is a minority religion in China, it has a growing number of adherents and a history stretching back over a thousand years. The term 基督 (jīdū) is the cornerstone of Christian vocabulary in Mandarin. In the West, the word “Christ” and related imagery are deeply woven into the cultural fabric, recognizable even to non-religious people through art, literature, and holidays. In China, 基督 (jīdū) is more strictly confined to religious or historical contexts. While a major holiday like Christmas (圣诞节 (Shèngdànjié)) is widely known, it's often celebrated in a commercial and secular way, and the direct connection to 基督 (jīdū) might be less prominent for the general public compared to in the West. For Chinese Christians, the term holds the same deep spiritual significance as it does for believers worldwide. However, for many non-Christian Chinese people, it is simply a proper noun associated with a foreign religion and Western history, much like how a Westerner might view the name “Buddha” or “Confucius” as a key figure from another culture's tradition.

The use of 基督 (jīdū) is almost always formal and specific.

• In Religious Settings: This is its primary and most common use. You will hear it constantly in churches, read it in Bibles (圣经 (Shèngjīng)), and see it in the names of denominations. For example, “信基督 (xìn Jīdū)” means “to believe in Christ.”
• In Historical & Academic Contexts: When discussing world history, particularly the Roman Empire or the development of Western civilization, 基督 is used as the standard historical term. For example, `公元 (gōngyuán)`, the term for C.E./A.D., is based on the traditional year of Christ's birth.
• In Everyday Conversation: It is uncommon to hear 基督 in casual conversation unless the topic is specifically about religion, faith, or Western holidays. It is not a word used lightly or colloquially.

• Example 1:
  • 很多中国人信基督。
  • Pinyin: Hěn duō Zhōngguó rén xìn Jīdū.
  • English: Many Chinese people believe in Christ.
  • Analysis: A simple statement of fact. `信 (xìn)` means “to believe in” and is commonly paired with religious figures or systems.
• Example 2:
  • 他是一位虔诚的基督徒。
  • Pinyin: Tā shì yī wèi qiánchéng de Jīdūtú.
  • English: He is a devout Christian.
  • Analysis: Here, 基督 is part of the compound word `基督徒 (Jīdūtú)`, which means “Christian” (literally “Christ follower”).
• Example 3:
  • 基督的教诲对西方文明影响深远。
  • Pinyin: Jīdū de jiàohuì duì Xīfāng wénmíng yǐngxiǎng shēnyuǎn.
  • English: The teachings of Christ have had a profound influence on Western civilization.
  • Analysis: This sentence demonstrates the academic or historical use of the term.
• Example 4:
  • 耶稣基督是基督教的中心。
  • Pinyin: Yēsū Jīdū shì Jīdūjiào de zhōngxīn.
  • English: Jesus Christ is the center of Christianity.
  • Analysis: This shows the full name/title `耶稣基督 (Yēsū Jīdū)`. It also uses the related term `基督教 (Jīdūjiào)`, meaning Christianity.
• Example 5:
  • 教堂的彩绘玻璃上画着基督的故事。
  • Pinyin: Jiàotáng de cǎihuì bōli shàng huà zhe Jīdū de gùshi.
  • English: The church's stained-glass windows depict stories of Christ.
  • Analysis: A descriptive sentence placing the term in a physical, religious context.
• Example 6:
  • 在神学上，“基督”这个头衔意为“受膏者”。
  • Pinyin: Zài shénxué shàng, “Jīdū” zhège tóuxián yìwèi “shòu gāo zhě”.
  • English: Theologically, the title “Christ” means “the anointed one.”
  • Analysis: This sentence explains the deeper meaning of the title, showing a more advanced usage.
• Example 7:
  • 圣诞节是为了庆祝基督的诞生。
  • Pinyin: Shèngdànjié shì wèile qìngzhù Jīdū de dànshēng.
  • English: Christmas is for celebrating the birth of Christ.
  • Analysis: Connects the term to the well-known holiday `圣诞节 (Shèngdànjié)`.
• Example 8:
  • 公元前指的是基督诞生之前的时代。
  • Pinyin: Gōngyuánqián zhǐ de shì Jīdū dànshēng zhīqián de shídài.
  • English: “B.C.” (Before Common Era) refers to the era before the birth of Christ.
  • Analysis: Another example of its use in a historical dating context. `公元前 (gōngyuánqián)` is the standard term for B.C.
• Example 9:
  • 很多艺术家从基督的生平中获得灵感。
  • Pinyin: Hěn duō yìshùjiā cóng Jīdū de shēngpíng zhōng huòdé línggǎn.
  • English: Many artists draw inspiration from the life of Christ.
  • Analysis: Shows the term's relevance in the context of art and culture.
• Example 10:
  • 牧师在祈祷中提到了基督的爱。
  • Pinyin: Mùshi zài qídǎo zhōng tídào le Jīdū de ài.
  • English: The pastor mentioned the love of Christ in the prayer.
  • Analysis: A typical example of how the term would be used within a religious service.

The most significant point of confusion for learners is the difference between 基督 (Jīdū) and 耶稣 (Yēsū).

• False Friends: 基督 (Jīdū) is not the name “Jesus.” It is the title “Christ.”
  • 耶稣 (Yēsū): This is the phonetic transliteration of the name Jesus.
  • 基督 (Jīdū): This is the phonetic transliteration of the title Christ, which means “Messiah” or “Anointed One.”
• Correct Usage: They are often used together as the full title: 耶稣基督 (Yēsū Jīdū), meaning “Jesus Christ.”
  • Correct: 我相信耶稣基督。 (I believe in Jesus Christ.)
  • Correct: 基督是神的儿子。 (Christ is the Son of God.)
  • Correct: 耶稣在加利利传道。 (Jesus preached in Galilee.)
• Common Mistake: Using 基督 when you just mean the historical person, Jesus. While not always strictly wrong in a Christian context, it's more precise to use 耶稣 when referring to his earthly life and name.
  • Slightly Awkward: `基督有十二个门徒。` (Christ had twelve disciples.)
  • More Natural: `耶稣有十二个门徒。` (Jesus had twelve disciples.)
  • Reason: The second sentence uses the personal name, which is more common when discussing his historical actions. The first sentence uses a theological title, which sounds more like a statement of faith than a historical fact.

• 耶稣 (Yēsū) - Jesus. The personal name, whereas 基督 is the title.
• 基督教 (Jīdūjiào) - Christianity. The religion based on Christ. (Literally “Christ-teaching”).
• 基督徒 (Jīdūtú) - Christian. A follower of Christ. (Literally “Christ-follower”).
• 圣经 (Shèngjīng) - The Holy Bible. The sacred scripture of Christianity. (Literally “Holy Classic/Scripture”).
• 上帝 (Shàngdì) - God. A common term used by Protestants. (Literally “Supreme Emperor”).
• 天主 (Tiānzhǔ) - God. The term used by Catholics. (Literally “Lord of Heaven”).
• 教堂 (jiàotáng) - Church / Chapel. The building for worship.
• 十字架 (shízìjià) - The Cross / Crucifix. A key symbol of Christianity. (Literally “ten-character frame”).
• 圣诞节 (Shèngdànjié) - Christmas. The holiday celebrating the birth of Christ. (Literally “Holy Birth Festival”).
• 复活节 (Fùhuójié) - Easter. The holiday celebrating the resurrection of Christ. (Literally “Resurrection Festival”).