chasid: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, religious, academic
Quick answer
What does “chasid” mean?
A member of a Jewish mystical movement founded in 18th-century Eastern Europe, emphasizing piety, joy, and direct communion with God.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A member of a Jewish mystical movement founded in 18th-century Eastern Europe, emphasizing piety, joy, and direct communion with God.
A devoutly religious person, especially one who follows Jewish mystical traditions; sometimes used more broadly to denote an extremely pious individual within any religious context.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The spelling 'Chasid' (with 'Ch') is more common in UK English, reflecting the Hebrew/Aramaic origin, while 'Hasid' is equally common in US English.
Connotations
In both varieties, the word carries strong religious and cultural connotations specific to Judaism. It is not used metaphorically in general discourse.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both varieties, appearing primarily in religious, historical, or sociological texts.
Grammar
How to Use “chasid” in a Sentence
[chasid] of [group/rebbe][adjective] chasidVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “chasid” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He chasids with great fervour during prayers. (rare, non-standard)
American English
- She chasids by following all the traditions meticulously. (rare, non-standard)
adverb
British English
- He prayed chasidically, with intense devotion. (rare)
American English
- They live chasidically, adhering to every custom. (rare)
adjective
British English
- The chasidic community in London is growing. (Note: 'chasidic' is the standard adjective form)
American English
- His chasidic upbringing influenced his worldview. (Note: 'Hasidic' is also common)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in religious studies, history, and sociology texts discussing Jewish movements.
Everyday
Rare; might appear in discussions of religion or news about Jewish communities.
Technical
Used in theology and Jewish studies with precise reference to Hasidic Judaism.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “chasid”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “chasid”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chasid”
- Misspelling as 'chasid' (lowercase c) when starting a sentence; confusing with 'Khasid' (non-standard); using it generically for any religious person.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They are transliterations of the same Hebrew word. 'Chasid' often reflects the Ashkenazi Hebrew pronunciation and is common in UK English, while 'Hasid' is standard in academic and US English.
No. It is specific to Judaism. Using it for other faiths is incorrect and may cause confusion or offence.
It is a formal, specialised term used in religious, historical, and academic contexts. It is not part of casual, everyday vocabulary.
The standard plural is 'chasidim' (from Hebrew), though 'chasids' is sometimes used in English.
A member of a Jewish mystical movement founded in 18th-century Eastern Europe, emphasizing piety, joy, and direct communion with God.
Chasid: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhæsɪd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhɑːsɪd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “As devout as a chasid”
- “A chasid's joy (referring to religious ecstasy)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'CHAsid' = 'CHerishes Ancient Spiritual Ideas Devoutly'.
Conceptual Metaphor
PIETY IS CLOSENESS TO GOD (a chasid seeks direct, joyful connection with the divine).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'chasid' primarily used?