使徒|しとshito[1]atamadaka (head-high)

1. no-adjectiveapostle; disciple
   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.

• Related弟子でしNeutralThe most widely used word for a pupil or apprentice; stresses learning an art or skill under a teacher, not a sacred mission like 「使徒」.
• Related門徒もんとNeutralA follower of a Buddhist sect, especially Jōdo Shinshū; it is about sectarian faith, not the sacred mission that defines 「使徒」.
• Related門下生もんかせいNeutralStudents under a particular master, as in 「〇〇門下生」; stresses the teaching lineage, with no apostle sense.
• Related門弟もんていWrittenA disciple admitted to a master's school; written, stressing the master–disciple tie. It lacks the apostle sense of 「使徒」: Jesus' twelve or one devoted to a sacred cause.
• Related門生もんせいWrittenA student studying under a teacher; written and fairly rare, stressing the relationship of receiving instruction. No apostle sense.
• Related門人もんじんWrittenA written-style word for a disciple, covering master–disciple ties in scholarship, the arts or religion. 「使徒」 alone means one preaching or devoted to a sacred cause.
• Related信奉者しんぽうしゃNeutralA devotee who sincerely believes in and follows a religion, ideology or person; stresses faith itself, while 「使徒」 is for the twelve or those devoted to a sacred cause.
• Related門弟子WrittenDisciples under a master; written and rather rare, covering scholarship, the arts and religion alike, as in 「親鸞の門弟子」. No apostle sense.

Use 「使徒」 for the twelve apostles of Jesus or one devoted to a noble cause, as in 「平和の使徒」. For ordinary disciples say 「弟子」 or 「門下生」; for believers, 「信奉者」; for Jōdo Shinshū followers, 「門徒」. 「門弟」「門生」「門人」「門弟子」 are written terms for disciples.

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

1. 福音ふくいんを伝つたえるために選えらばれた十二じゅうに人にんの弟子でし。
2. 神聖しんせいな目的もくてきに身命しんみょうを投げ打なげうち努力どりょくする人ひと。