church
gb/t͡ʃˈɚt͡ʃ/ us/t͡ʃˈɚt͡ʃ/
A1
English
~ 500
templom, egyház, gyülekezet, istentisztelet, mise, templomi szertartást tart, templomban megáld
NOUN
A1
1
templom
A1
Usage pattern:
to go to [church]
They got married in a small stone church.
Egy kis kőtemplomban házasodtak össze.
The church was decorated with flowers for Easter.
Húsvétra virágokkal díszítették fel a templomot.
Tourists often visit the old church on the hill.
The village has only one church, built in the 18th century.
Learner examples
We go to church every Sunday.
Minden vasárnap templomba járunk.
The church is near my house.
A templom a házam közelében van.
There is a big church in the city.
She works in the church office.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'church' (the building) with 'service' (the event). Example: 'I enjoyed the church' should be 'I enjoyed the service.'
Meaning
Christian place of worship
Collocations
attend church
|go to church
|church service
|church building
|church members
Synonyms
chapel (A smaller or private place of Christian worship, often part of a larger building.)
Antonyms
mosque (A place of worship for Muslims, contrasting with a Christian church.)
Themes
religion
|architecture
|community
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A building where people go to pray and sing to God in the Christian religion.
A building where Christians gather for religious services and worship.
NOUN
B1
2
egyház
B1
gyülekezet
B2
Usage pattern:
the [Church] says [something]
The Church has played an important role in history.
Az Egyház fontos szerepet játszott a történelemben.
Many people disagree with the official position of the Church.
Sokan nem értenek egyet az Egyház hivatalos álláspontjával.
She decided to join the Catholic Church.
The Church helped provide aid to refugees.
Learner examples
The Church teaches love and kindness.
Az Egyház szeretetre és kedvességre tanít.
He works for the Church.
Az Egyháznak dolgozik.
The Church helps poor people.
She joined the Church last year.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'church' meaning 'organization' with 'church' meaning 'building'. Context usually clarifies which is intended.
Meaning
Christian religious institution
Collocations
Catholic Church
|Protestant Church
|Church leaders
|join the Church
Synonyms
denomination (A specific branch within Christianity, such as Baptist or Lutheran.)
Antonyms
state (In discussions about separation of church and state, 'state' is considered the opposite entity to 'church' as an institution.)
Themes
religion
|society
|core_vocabulary
Definition
All the people and groups that follow the Christian religion.
An organized group of Christians, or the overall institution of Christianity as a religion.
NOUN
A2
3
mise
A2
Usage pattern:
to attend [church]
We have church at 10 a.m. every Sunday.
Nálunk minden vasárnap délelőtt tízkor van istentisztelet.
After church, we had lunch together.
Istentisztelet után együtt ebédeltünk.
I haven't been to church in months.
Church was especially moving today.
Learner examples
We go to church on Sunday.
Vasárnap istentiszteletre megyünk.
Church starts at nine o'clock.
Az istentisztelet kilenc órakor kezdődik.
After church we eat lunch.
She sings at church every week.
Common mistake:
Some learners think 'church' in this sense always means Sunday morning, but it can occur on other days or times.
Meaning
Christian religious service
Collocations
attend church
|church service
|after church
Synonyms
service (General term for a religious gathering, not limited to Christianity.)
Antonyms
secular event (An event with no religious purpose or content.)
Themes
religion
|events
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A time when Christians meet to pray and sing together in a church building.
A formal event where Christians gather to worship, pray, and hear sermons.
VERB
C1
INFORMAL
4
Usage pattern:
to church [someone/something]
They churched the couple before their departure overseas.
Mielőtt a pár tengerentúlra indult, templomi szertartást tartottak nekik.
In some traditions, mothers are churched after childbirth.
Egyes hagyományokban szülés után templomi áldásban részesítik az anyákat.
The community churched the new bell before using it.
Learner examples
They churched the baby last week.
A múlt héten templomban megáldották a babát.
The priest churched my friend yesterday.
A pap tegnap templomban megáldotta a barátomat.
She was churched after her baby was born.
Meaning
Hold ceremony in church
Collocations
church a baby
|churched members
Synonyms
christen (Often used specifically for baptizing an infant; 'church' can be broader.)
Themes
religion
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To have a special Christian service for someone in a church.
To perform or take part in a formal Christian religious ceremony in a church for someone or something.
Grammar
Dictionary form
church
IPA
GB/t͡ʃˈɚt͡ʃ/
US/t͡ʃˈɚt͡ʃ/
Syllables & stress
church (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (church)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: church
- Plural: church, churches
Word family
Forms
churches
noun
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
unchurched
adjective
Expressions
go to church
1/ɡˈoʊ tə t͡ʃˈɚt͡ʃ/
fixed phrase
Attend Christian worship service
To visit a church building for a Christian service.
Examples
- We go to church every Sunday morning.
- He hasn't gone to church since last Christmas.
in church
1/ˈɪn t͡ʃˈɚt͡ʃ/
fixed phrase
Inside a church during service
To be inside a church building, usually for a service or event.
Examples
- Please turn off your phone while in church.
- She was sitting quietly in church when he arrived.
separation of church and state
1/sˌɛpɚˈeɪʃən əv t͡ʃˈɚt͡ʃ ˈænd stˈeɪt/
fixed phrase
formal
Independence of government and religion
The idea that the government should not control religion and religion should not control the government.
Examples
- The constitution guarantees the separation of church and state.
- Debates about education often involve questions about the separation of church and state.
separation of church and state
2/sˌɛpɚˈeɪʃən əv t͡ʃˈɚt͡ʃ ˈænd stˈeɪt/
fixed phrase
keeping religion and government separate
The idea that government and religious groups should be independent and not control each other.
Examples
- Many people see the separation of church and state as essential to a free society.
- The new law has raised questions about the country’s separation of church and state.
- They argued that funding the religious school breaks the separation of church and state.