When combined, 基督 (jīdū) does not mean “foundation supervisor.” It is a specific phonetic loanword created to represent the concept and sound of “Christ” in Chinese. Recognizing it as a sound-based translation is key to understanding it correctly.
While Christianity is a minority religion in China, it has a growing number of adherents and a history stretching back over a thousand years. The term 基督 (jīdū) is the cornerstone of Christian vocabulary in Mandarin. In the West, the word “Christ” and related imagery are deeply woven into the cultural fabric, recognizable even to non-religious people through art, literature, and holidays. In China, 基督 (jīdū) is more strictly confined to religious or historical contexts. While a major holiday like Christmas (圣诞节 (Shèngdànjié)) is widely known, it's often celebrated in a commercial and secular way, and the direct connection to 基督 (jīdū) might be less prominent for the general public compared to in the West. For Chinese Christians, the term holds the same deep spiritual significance as it does for believers worldwide. However, for many non-Christian Chinese people, it is simply a proper noun associated with a foreign religion and Western history, much like how a Westerner might view the name “Buddha” or “Confucius” as a key figure from another culture's tradition.
The use of 基督 (jīdū) is almost always formal and specific.
The most significant point of confusion for learners is the difference between 基督 (Jīdū) and 耶稣 (Yēsū).