Definition

Proper noun: * Christianity: The monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, as presented in the New Testament of the Bible. It is one of the world's major religions.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun:
  • Thiên Chúa giáo là một trong những tôn giáo lớn trên thế giới. (Christianity is one of the major religions in the world.)
  • Nhiều nhà thờ ở thành phố này theo Thiên Chúa giáo. (Many churches in this city belong to Christianity.)
  • Anh ấy đã nghiên cứu về lịch sử của Thiên Chúa giáo. (He studied the history of Christianity.)

Advanced Usage

• "theo đạo Thiên Chúa" / "là tín đồ Thiên Chúa giáo": to be a Christian, to follow Christianity.
  • Gia đình cô ấy theo đạo Thiên Chúa. (Her family are Christians.)
• "truyền bá Thiên Chúa giáo": to propagate/spread Christianity.
  • Các nhà truyền giáo đã đến để truyền bá Thiên Chúa giáo. (Missionaries came to spread Christianity.)

Variants and Related Words

• Công giáo (Catholicism): The branch of Christianity led by the Pope, with its headquarters in Vatican City. In Vietnamese historical and common usage, "Thiên Chúa giáo" is often used synonymously with "Công giáo" (Catholicism), though technically it is a broader term.
  • Ông bà tôi theo đạo Công giáo. (My grandparents are Catholic.)
• Tin Lành (Protestantism): Protestantism, another major branch of Christianity.
• Chính Thống giáo (Orthodox Christianity): Orthodox Christianity, another major branch.
• Kitô giáo: Another Vietnamese term for Christianity, derived from "Christ". It is a more formal or academic synonym for "Thiên Chúa giáo".

Synonyms

• Kitô giáo: Christianity (formal/academic synonym).
• Đạo Cơ Đốc: Christianity (less common term).

Notes on Meaning and Usage

• In Vietnam, due to historical context, the term "Thiên Chúa giáo" (Christianity) is very frequently used to refer specifically to Công giáo (Catholicism), which is the largest Christian denomination in the country. In a strict theological sense, "Thiên Chúa giáo" encompasses all Christian denominations (Catholicism, Protestantism, Orthodoxy, etc.), while "Công giáo" refers specifically to Roman Catholicism. Learners should be aware of this common conflation in everyday Vietnamese language use.
• The word is always capitalized as it is a proper noun.

noun

1. christianism