the faithful

IPA/ðə fˈeɪθfəl/
IPA/ðə fˈeɪθfəl/

the faithful — 慣用語

1. a way of referring to all the people who belong to a particular religion and reg

1.慣用語B2
釋義

信徒

特定宗教的忠實參與者

a way of referring to all the people who belong to a particular religion and regularly take part in its worship and practices

例句

Every Sunday, the faithful gather at Saint Mary's Church for the morning service.

每個星期天，信徒們聚集在聖瑪麗教堂參加早上的禮拜。

collective noun used with plural verb

The priest blessed the faithful before they left the cathedral.

神父在信徒們離開大教堂前為他們祝福。

同義詞
  • believers

    broader term; can refer to individuals rather than the collective

  • followers

    emphasises personal attachment to a leader or teachings

  • devotees

    suggests strong personal dedication and affection

  • the congregation

    specific to a single church community rather than a whole religion

反義詞

文法句型

the faithful + plural verb

用法筆記

Always used with the definite article 'the', never 'a faithful' or 'faithfuls'. Functions as a plural noun — the verb that follows takes a plural form.

常見錯誤

❌A faithful attended the service.
✅The faithful attended the service.
💡'the faithful' is always preceded by 'the' and treated as a plural noun.

2. a term used to describe the people who remain deeply devoted to a particular org

2.慣用語B2
釋義

忠實支持者

團體中最忠誠的長期成員

a term used to describe the people who remain deeply devoted to a particular organisation, such as a political party, a sports club, or a business, over a long period

例句

The manager thanked the faithful who came to every home game despite the bad weather.

球隊經理感謝那些即使天氣惡劣也來觀看每場主場比賽的忠實支持者。

the faithful who + [action] (relative clause pattern)

Party leaders addressed the faithful at the annual convention in Chicago.

政黨領袖在芝加哥的年度大會上向忠實支持者們發表演說。

同義詞
  • loyalists

    stronger political connotation, especially in party contexts

  • stalwarts

    emphasises reliability and long service

  • regulars

    more informal, common for customers or attendees

  • followers

    broader term, less specific to long-term dedication

反義詞
  • fair-weather fans

    informal; people who support only when things go well

  • newcomers

    people who have recently joined; opposite of long-term members

文法句型

the faithful + plural verb

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 1 (RELIGIOUS FOLLOWERS) — this sense applies to secular organisations. Subject of the sentence is usually the organisation or its leader, and 'the faithful' are the recipients of their gratitude or the object of their appeal.

常見錯誤

❌The faithfuls of the football club arrived early.
✅The faithful of the football club arrived early.
💡there is no plural form 'faithfuls'; 'the faithful' already functions as a plural.