Etymology of bateren (伴天連 / 破天連)


The archaic Japanese word _bateren_ [伴天連 /
破天連](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E7%A0%B4%E5%A4%A9%E9%80%A3) (referring to
a missionary [Jesuit] priest) is derived from the Portuguese _padre_.

The Portuguese word notably does not contain or end in a nasal consonant, and
all other [Portuguese loans to
Japanese](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_Japanese_words_of_Portuguese_origin)
I'm familiar with only end in ん when the Portuguese word itself has an n/m or
nasal vowel.

Given this, why was it adapted as _bateren_ as opposed to the expected *
_batere / *patere_?




My hypothesis is that it was influenced by the similar word, _iruma **n_**
(イルマン / 入満 / 伊留満 / 由婁漫) (from pt. _irm **ã** o_, "a layman or scholastic
training for the priesthood", note the nasal vowel), as this word was borrowed
at the same time and in the same context.

However, I found no direct evidence to support this claim.

* * *

**Sources:**  
- [_Japanese Traditions of Christianity_](https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=nPODDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA10&lpg=PA10&dq="bateren") (p.10, n.12, 13)  
- [_The Kakure Kirishitan of Japan: A Study of Their Development, Beliefs and ..._](https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=OfqzAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA69&lpg=PA69&dq="bateren") (p.69)  
- [_Women Religious Leaders in Japan's Christian Century, 1549-1650_](https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=saX0gHc91fkC&pg=PA2&lpg=PA2&dq="bateren") (p.2, n.6)

