curia

IPA/ˈkjʊə.ri.ə/
IPA/ˈkjʊr.i.ə/

curia — noun

1. the central governing body that runs the Catholic Church worldwide, handling Chu

1.名詞C1
釋義

the central governing body that runs the Catholic Church worldwide, handling Church law, legal decisions, appointments, and official business under the Pope's direction

例句

The Roman Curia approved the appointment of two new bishops in Brazil last month.

article + Curia + verb: approved

Cardinal Oliveira spent twelve years working in the Curia's doctrinal department.

Curia's + department: possessive with specific office

同義詞
  • Holy See

    refers to the Pope's episcopal jurisdiction and authority, whereas Curia is the bureaucratic apparatus that carries out governance

  • Vatican

    broader term covering the entire city-state, its government, and its cultural institutions

文法句型

the Curia

Roman Curia

Curia + verb (singular)

用法筆記

Usually capitalized and used with a definite article ('the Curia' or 'the Roman Curia'). Distinguish from sense 2: this sense refers to the institution and its activities, not the physical building.

常見錯誤

❌The Pope lives in the Curia.
✅The Pope lives in the Apostolic Palace. The Curia is the administrative body that runs the Catholic Church.
💡The Curia is not the Pope's residence; it is the governing machinery.
❌I visited the Curia last weekend' (when you visited a church).
✅I visited the Vatican last weekend.
💡'Curia' does not mean a general church building; it specifically refers to the Vatican-based administrative offices.

2. the group of buildings inside Vatican City where the Catholic Church's governing

2.名詞C1
釋義

the group of buildings inside Vatican City where the Catholic Church's governing departments, courts, and offices are located

例句

The Curia buildings were constructed next to the Apostolic Palace to house the Church's courts and administrative offices.

Curia buildings: physical structures

Olga took a guided tour through the Curia and saw its historic meeting rooms.

同義詞
  • Vatican

    includes the entire city-state, not just the administrative offices

文法句型

the Curia

Curia buildings

the Curia complex

用法筆記

This sense is less common than sense 1. In most contexts 'Curia' refers to the institution rather than the physical structure. The plural ('Curias') is rarely used.

常見錯誤

❌The Curia is a single building.
✅The Curia is a complex of several buildings and offices.
💡The administrative quarters span multiple connected structures in Vatican City.