聖職者

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 聖職者 is read as せいしょくしゃ and is a noun for a member of the clergy or a person holding a religious office.
• Basic usage: A character appears in 老いた聖職者, while period clothing appears in 中世の聖職者が着た衣服.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• No single religion specified
  • The word alone does not identify a particular religion or rank; the specific affiliation must come from context.
• Difference from 宗教家
  • 宗教家 broadly covers a person engaged in religious thought or practice; 聖職者 centers on someone holding a religious office.