How to say "disciple" in Japanese

• 弟子でしCommon
  no-adjectiveThe broadest and most general choice: a pupil or disciple who studies under and follows a master, teacher, or religious leader. Use it for 'disciple' in the general sense, religious or secular.
  イエスも、また弟子でしたちも、その婚礼こんれいに招まねかれた。↗

  And Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding.
• 使徒しとCommon
  no-adjectiveIn Christian usage this is 'apostle': a disciple given a special commission, as in the New Testament. It is not the general word for a disciple — for that, 弟子 is the choice.
  しかし、使徒しとたちはその危険きけんに気付きづいた。↗

  However the disciples awoke to that danger.
• 門下生もんかせいCommon
  nounA pupil or disciple understood as belonging to a particular master or teacher — literally one who studied 'under the gate'. Typical of academic contexts, such as the students of a noted professor or scholar.

Use 弟子 as the general word for a pupil or follower devoted to a master, including religious disciples; 使徒 is specifically the Christian 'apostle'; 門下生 presents someone as a student under a particular teacher or master.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 弟子でしpupil
• 使徒しとapostle
• 門下生もんかせいpupil
• 門弟もんていdisciple
• 信仰者しんこうしゃbeliever
• 哲てつsage