When you want to talk about multiple people in Japanese, you might be tempted to just add "-たち" to "人" (hito) to make "人たち." While "人たち" is perfectly fine and commonly used, "人々" (hitobito) is another great option to know.
Think of "人々" as a slightly more formal or literary way to say "people." It's often used when you're talking about groups of people in a more general sense, or perhaps a larger, undefined crowd.
For example, if you're describing a park filled with many individuals, you could say "公園には多くの人々がいます" (Kōen ni wa ooku no hitobito ga imasu - There are many people in the park). Both "人たち" and "人々" convey the same basic meaning of 'people,' but understanding the nuance can help you sound more natural.
When talking about people in Japanese, you will often hear the word 人々 (hitobito). This word directly translates to "people" or "everyone."
You might be familiar with 人 (hito), which means "person." 人々 is simply the plural form of 人. It's a general term, so you can use it in many different situations, whether you're talking about a small group or a large crowd.
Let's talk about the Japanese word 人々 (hitobito). This is a very useful word to know, and it's quite straightforward once you get the hang of it.
§ What does 人々 (hitobito) mean?
- DEFINITION
- People; plural of person.
Basically, 人々 (hitobito) means 'people'. It's the plural form of 'person' or 'human being'. You might already know 人 (hito) which means 'person'. When you see the same kanji repeated like 人々, it often indicates a plural or a repetition. In this case, it explicitly means 'people' in a general sense.
Think of it like saying 'folks' or 'everyone' in English, but it's more direct. It refers to a collective group of individuals.
§ When do people use it?
You'll hear and see 人々 (hitobito) used in many situations where you're talking about groups of people. Here are some common scenarios:
- When describing the general public or a large gathering.
- When talking about how people in general think, feel, or behave.
- In news reports or formal writing when referring to residents or citizens.
- When discussing various groups of people, like 'young people' or 'old people'.
It's a fairly common word, and it doesn't carry any particularly formal or informal connotations; it's quite neutral. You can use it in both casual and more formal conversations, though it leans slightly towards written or more considered speech due to its general nature.
§ Examples of 人々 (hitobito) in use
この公園は、朝早くから多くの人々で賑わっています。
Kono kōen wa, asa hayaku kara ooku no hitobito de nigiwatteimasu.
This park is bustling with many people from early in the morning.
災害の後、人々は助け合いました。
Saigai no ato, hitobito wa tasukeaimashita.
After the disaster, people helped each other.
そのニュースは世界中の人々に衝撃を与えました。
Sono nyūsu wa sekaijū no hitobito ni shōgeki o ataemashita.
That news shocked people all over the world.
彼の話は多くの人々の心に響きました。
Kare no hanashi wa ooku no hitobito no kokoro ni hibikimashita.
His story resonated with many people's hearts.
As you can see from these examples, 人々 is often used with modifiers like 多くの (ooku no) meaning 'many', or in contexts that naturally imply a group. It’s a foundational word for talking about society and general human interaction.
§ Common pitfalls to avoid
- Don't confuse 人々 (hitobito) with just 人 (hito) when you specifically mean 'many people' or 'the public'. While 人 can sometimes be collective, 人々 removes ambiguity.
- It's generally used for humans. For animals or objects, you'd use different pluralizing methods or context.
- While Japanese doesn't always strictly pluralize nouns, 人々 is one of those words that specifically marks a plural for 'person', making it clear you're talking about multiple individuals.
Keep practicing with these examples and try to form your own sentences. The more you use 人々 (hitobito), the more natural it will feel!
§ Don't confuse 人々 (hitobito) with 人 (hito) or 他の人 (hoka no hito)
Many learners, especially at the A2 level, might overuse 人々 (hitobito) or use it interchangeably with other words for 'people.' While 人々 (hitobito) does mean 'people,' it has a specific nuance and isn't always the best choice.
- DEFINITION
- 人々 (hitobito) refers to people in general, often a large, unspecific group. It emphasizes the plurality.
- DEFINITION
- 人 (hito) can mean a person or people in a more general sense, often singular, but can also be plural when the context makes it clear.
- DEFINITION
- 他の人 (hoka no hito) specifically means 'other people.' Use this when you want to distinguish between 'you/us' and 'others.'
Here's why this distinction matters:
- If you're talking about a single person, use 人 (hito).
- If you're talking about a small, specific group of people, you might use 人 (hito) with a counter, or just rely on context.
- If you're talking about a large, generalized group of people, then 人々 (hitobito) is appropriate.
これは人です。
This is a person.
公園にはたくさんの人々がいました。
There were many people in the park.
彼は他の人と違う意見を持っています。
He has a different opinion from other people.
§ Don't use 人々 (hitobito) when referring to a specific number of people
When you're counting people or referring to a specific, enumerable group, 人々 (hitobito) is generally not the right choice. Instead, you'll use the counter for people, which is 人 (nin) or り (ri) for one and two people.
- DEFINITION
- 一人 (hitori) means one person.
- DEFINITION
- 二人 (futari) means two people.
- DEFINITION
- 三人 (sannin) means three people, and so on.
For example, if you want to say 'five people,' you would use 五人 (gonin), not 五人々 (gonin hitobito) or something similar. 人々 (hitobito) is for an indeterminate, general group, not a precisely counted one.
会議には五人の参加者がいました。
There were five people at the meeting.
§ Using 人々 (hitobito) in overly casual contexts
While not strictly a 'mistake,' using 人々 (hitobito) in very casual, everyday conversation might sound a little stiff or formal. In relaxed settings, Japanese speakers often rely on context or simpler phrasing to convey plurality.
- Instead of saying 「人々が来たよ」 (hitobito ga kita yo - 'The people came'), you might hear 「みんなが来たよ」 (minna ga kita yo - 'Everyone came') or even just 「来たよ」 (kita yo - 'They came') if the subject is clear.
- DEFINITION
- みんな (minna) means 'everyone' or 'all,' and is very common in casual speech.
パーティーにはみんな来る？
Is everyone coming to the party?
Mastering 人々 (hitobito) isn't just about knowing its definition, but also understanding its appropriate context and avoiding common pitfalls with other similar terms. Pay attention to how native speakers use it, and you'll improve your naturalness in Japanese.
§ Understanding 人々 (hitobito)
You've learned that 人々 (hitobito) means 'people' or 'plural of person' at an A2 level. That's a good start. Now, let's get into the practical side: when do you actually use 人々, and what are the alternatives?
- DEFINITION
- People; plural of person.
人々 is generally used for a somewhat large, unspecified group of people. It often carries a slightly formal or literary nuance, but it's not exclusively formal. Think of it as 'the people' in a general sense, or 'people in general'. It emphasizes the collective aspect.
大勢の人々が公園に集まっていました。
Hint: A large number of people were gathered in the park.
§ Alternatives to 人々 and when to use them
Japanese has several ways to talk about 'people'. Let's break down the common ones:
人 (hito): This is the most basic word for 'person' or 'people'. When you use 人 by itself, it can be singular or plural, depending on context. It's very common and neutral.
その人は私の友達です。
Hint: That person is my friend.
たくさんの人が駅にいます。
Hint: There are many people at the station.
人々 (hitobito): As we discussed, this implies a larger, often more general group. It has a slightly more formal or literary feel than just 人 but is still common. It's often used when talking about 'people' in a societal or communal sense.
この国の人々は親切です。
Hint: The people of this country are kind.
人間 (ningen): This word specifically refers to 'human being' or 'mankind'. It emphasizes the biological or philosophical aspect of being human, as opposed to animals or machines. You wouldn't use this for a simple crowd of people.
人間は考える葦である。
Hint: Human beings are thinking reeds (a famous philosophical quote).
方々 (katagata): This is a very polite way to refer to 'people' or 'persons'. It's often used when addressing or referring to a group of respected individuals, or when you want to be extremely deferential. You'll hear this in formal announcements or business settings.
ご列席の方々、本日はありがとうございます。
Hint: To all the attendees, thank you for today.
§ Summary: When to choose which word
To keep it simple:
Use 人 (hito) for a single person or a general, unspecified number of people in everyday situations. It's your default.
Use 人々 (hitobito) when you mean 'people in general' or a somewhat larger, collective group, often with a slightly more formal or descriptive tone.
Use 人間 (ningen) when you're talking about 'human beings' or 'mankind' in a deeper, more conceptual sense.
Use 方々 (katagata) for a highly polite reference to a group of people, typically in formal contexts.
Practice using these in different contexts, and you'll get a feel for them. Don't overthink it, but be aware of the nuances. Good luck!
مثالها بر اساس سطح
多くの人々が公園でピクニックをしています。
Many people are having a picnic in the park.
世界中の人々が平和を願っています。
People all over the world wish for peace.
駅にはたくさんの人々がいます。
There are many people at the station.
彼は人々と話すのが好きです。
He likes talking to people.
このイベントには約100人の人々が参加しました。
About 100 people participated in this event.
昔の人々は星を見て時間を知りました。
People in the past knew the time by looking at the stars.
新しいお店に多くの人々が並んでいます。
Many people are lining up for the new store.
人々の助け合いは大切です。
People helping each other is important.
人々が互いに協力し合うことで、どんな困難も乗り越えられます。
When people cooperate with each other, they can overcome any difficulty.
多くの人々が彼の意見に賛同し、その計画は実行されることになりました。
Many people agreed with his opinion, and the plan was decided to be put into action.
その出来事は、人々の心に深く刻まれ、語り継がれることでしょう。
That event will be deeply engraved in people's hearts and passed down through generations.
都市部では、人々が多様な文化や価値観に触れる機会が多くあります。
In urban areas, people have many opportunities to encounter diverse cultures and values.
政府は、人々の生活の質を向上させるための政策を推進しています。
The government is promoting policies to improve people's quality of life.
災害時には、人々が助け合い、復興に向けて力を合わせます。
In times of disaster, people help each other and work together towards recovery.
彼は、人々の期待に応えるために、常に最善を尽くしています。
He always does his best to meet people's expectations.
歴史を学ぶことは、過去の人々の生き方や考え方を理解する上で重要です。
Learning history is important for understanding the way people in the past lived and thought.
خانواده کلمه
اسمها
نکات
Remembering 人々
Think of 人々 as two people standing side-by-side. The kanji 人 (hito) means person, and repeating it signifies a plural.
Formal vs. Informal
While 人々 is generally suitable for most situations, more formal contexts might use people like 皆様 (minna-sama) when addressing an audience, or simply omit a specific pluralizer and let context imply plurality.
No 's' in Japanese
Unlike English, Japanese doesn't typically add an 's' for plurals. Repeating the kanji, like with 人々, is a common way to indicate multiple items or people.
Pronunciation practice
Practice pronouncing hitobito. The 'o' sound at the end of hito becomes slightly softened or almost silent before the next bito, making it sound more natural. Say it out loud: 'hee-toh-bee-toh'.
Context is key
In Japanese, often the plural is implied by context. You don't always need to say 人々. For instance, '子どもが遊んでいる' (kodomo ga asonde iru) means 'the children are playing,' even though 子ども (kodomo) is singular for child.
Using with particles
When using 人々 in a sentence, remember to attach appropriate particles like が (ga) for the subject, を (o) for the direct object, or に (ni) for the indirect object or location. Example: 人々が集まる (hitobito ga atsumaru) - 'People gather.'
Don't confuse with 'hito-tachi'
While 人々 (hitobito) means people in general, 人たち (hito-tachi) is another pluralizer, often used for a specific group of people you are talking about. 人々 is more general.
Common phrases with 人々
Look for phrases like 世界中の人々 (sekaijuu no hitobito) - 'people all over the world,' or 多くの人々 (ooku no hitobito) - 'many people.' This will help you see it in natural contexts.
Literary use
In literature or more poetic contexts, 人々 can evoke a stronger sense of 'humanity' or 'the masses' compared to other plural forms. It carries a slightly more profound nuance.
Visual association
Imagine a crowd of people. Now, think of the kanji 人 repeated. This visual link can help solidify the meaning and form of 人々 in your memory.
خودت رو بسنج 48 سوال
公園にはたくさんの___がいます。(There are many ___ in the park.)
The sentence talks about a park, where you would typically find many people.
あのカフェはいつも___でいっぱいです。(That cafe is always full of ___.)
Cafes are usually full of people, especially if they are popular.
この映画は多くの___に愛されています。(This movie is loved by many ___.)
Movies are generally loved by people, not countries or colors.
駅の前に___がたくさんいます。(There are many ___ in front of the station.)
Train stations are typically busy places with many people.
パーティーには楽しい___が集まりました。(Fun ___ gathered at the party.)
Parties are social events where people gather.
そのイベントには___人が参加しました。(___ people participated in that event.)
To convey that 'many people' participated, '多くの' is the appropriate choice before '人々'.
Can you hear people's voices?
Many people were in the park.
The people were talking happily.
این را بلند بخوانید:
人々は駅に向かっています。
تمرکز: Hitobito wa eki ni muka-tte imasu.
تو گفتی:
تشخیص گفتار در مرورگر شما پشتیبانی نمیشود. از کروم یا اج استفاده کنید.
این را بلند بخوانید:
私達は人々を助けたい。
تمرکز: Watashitachi wa hitobito o tasuketai.
تو گفتی:
تشخیص گفتار در مرورگر شما پشتیبانی نمیشود. از کروم یا اج استفاده کنید.
این را بلند بخوانید:
その人々は親切でした。
تمرکز: Sono hitobito wa shinsetsu deshita.
تو گفتی:
تشخیص گفتار در مرورگر شما پشتیبانی نمیشود. از کروم یا اج استفاده کنید.
This sentence introduces 'people' using 'kore wa' (this is).
This sentence says 'There are many people'. 'Taksan' means many, and 'imasu' is the verb for existence of animate objects.
This sentence indicates 'People are in the park'. 'Kouen ni imasu' means 'are in the park'.
Many people were having a picnic in the park.
That news affected many people.
The people listened to his opinion.
این را بلند بخوانید:
この都市には様々な背景を持つ人々が住んでいます。
تمرکز: 様々な (samazama na), 背景 (haikei)
تو گفتی:
تشخیص گفتار در مرورگر شما پشتیبانی نمیشود. از کروم یا اج استفاده کنید.
این را بلند بخوانید:
多くの人々がそのイベントを楽しみにしています。
تمرکز: 楽しみにしています (tanoshimi ni shite imasu)
تو گفتی:
تشخیص گفتار در مرورگر شما پشتیبانی نمیشود. از کروم یا اج استفاده کنید.
این را بلند بخوانید:
人々は新しい技術に興味を持っています。
تمرکز: 興味を持っています (kyoumi o motte imasu)
تو گفتی:
تشخیص گفتار در مرورگر شما پشتیبانی نمیشود. از کروم یا اج استفاده کنید.
多くの____がそのイベントに集まった。(Many ____ gathered at the event.)
「人々」は英語で「people」を意味し、集まる対象として適切です。
彼は____を助けるためにボランティア活動をしている。(He is volunteering to help ____.)
「人々」は英語で「people」を意味し、助ける対象として適切です。
そのニュースは____の間にすぐに広まった。(The news quickly spread among the ____.)
「人々」は英語で「people」を意味し、ニュースが広まる対象として適切です。
歴史は____の行動によって作られる。(History is made by the actions of ____.)
「人々」は英語で「people」を意味し、歴史を作る主体として適切です。
異なる文化を持つ____がお互いに学ぶことができる。(____ with different cultures can learn from each other.)
「人々」は英語で「people」を意味し、文化を学び合う主体として適切です。
この映画は、現代社会に生きる____の葛藤を描いています。(This film depicts the struggles of ____ living in modern society.)
「人々」は英語で「people」を意味し、映画で描かれる対象として適切です。
This sentence means 'Many people were gathered.' The natural order in Japanese is 'Many people were gathered.'
This sentence means 'People all over the world wish for peace.' The natural order is 'People all over the world peace wish for.'
This sentence means 'Many people always visit this place.' The natural order in Japanese is 'This place always many people visit.'
この絵は多くの___を魅了するだろう。
「人々」は英語で「people」を意味し、この文脈では「多くの人々を魅了する」が自然な表現です。
その問題は、___の生活に深く影響を与えている。
「人々の生活」は「people's lives」を意味し、文脈に合っています。
彼らは___の期待に応えようと努力した。
「人々の期待」は「people's expectations」を意味し、文脈に適切です。
そのニュースは瞬く間に___の間に広まった。
「人々の間に広まる」は「spread among people」を意味し、自然な表現です。
彼のスピーチは___に感銘を与えた。
「人々に感銘を与える」は「impress people」を意味し、文脈に合っています。
多くの___がそのイベントに参加する予定だ。
「多くの人々が参加する」は「many people will participate」を意味し、適切な表現です。
This sentence means 'People all over the world wish for peace.' '世界中の (sekaijū no)' means 'all over the world', '人々 (hitobito)' means 'people', 'が (ga)' is a subject particle, '平和 (heiwa)' means 'peace', 'を (o)' is an object particle, and '願っています (negatte imasu)' means 'are wishing'.
This sentence means 'Many people participated in that event.' '多くの (ōku no)' means 'many', '人々 (hitobito)' means 'people', 'が (ga)' is a subject particle, 'その (sono)' means 'that', 'イベント (ibento)' means 'event', 'に (ni)' is a particle indicating participation, and '参加しました (sanka shimashita)' means 'participated'.
This sentence means 'People in the city lead busy lives every day.' '都市の (toshi no)' means 'of the city', '人々 (hitobito)' means 'people', 'は (wa)' is a topic particle, '忙しい (isogashii)' means 'busy', '毎日 (mainichi)' means 'every day', 'を (o)' is an object particle, and '送っています (okutte imasu)' means 'are leading/sending'.
/ 48 درست
نمره کامل!
Remembering 人々
Think of 人々 as two people standing side-by-side. The kanji 人 (hito) means person, and repeating it signifies a plural.
Formal vs. Informal
While 人々 is generally suitable for most situations, more formal contexts might use people like 皆様 (minna-sama) when addressing an audience, or simply omit a specific pluralizer and let context imply plurality.
No 's' in Japanese
Unlike English, Japanese doesn't typically add an 's' for plurals. Repeating the kanji, like with 人々, is a common way to indicate multiple items or people.
Pronunciation practice
Practice pronouncing hitobito. The 'o' sound at the end of hito becomes slightly softened or almost silent before the next bito, making it sound more natural. Say it out loud: 'hee-toh-bee-toh'.
محتوای مرتبط
این کلمه در زبانهای دیگر
واژههای بیشتر society
活動
B1A thing that a person or group does or has done; the state of being active.
実態
B1The actual condition or reality of a situation, especially as opposed to how it is supposed to be or how it appears.
行政
B1Administration or government.
アメリカ
A1America.
権威
B1The power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience, or a person with expert knowledge. Frequently used in IELTS when discussing leadership or academic expertise.
恩恵
B1A benefit or advantage derived from something. Used in IELTS for discussing the pros of technology or nature.
偏向
B2A bias, lean, or inclination toward a specific direction or ideology, often used to describe media or political views.
候補者
B2A person who is being considered for a position, an award, or an office; a candidate.
慈善
B2Help or money given to those in need; an organization set up to provide help and raise money for those in need.
育児
B2The process of caring for and raising a child from birth until they are independent.
