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A1 noun #3,582 most common 16 min read

群集

gunshū Top 3,582

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 群集 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 群集 in your Level:

At the A1 level, think of '群集' (gunshū) as a way to say 'many people' (たくさんのひと). While it is a bit of a difficult word for beginners, you can understand it by looking at the two parts. '群' means a group, and '集' means to come together. So, when you see a lot of people in one place, like at a big park or a station, you can call them a 'gunshū'. For now, just remember it means 'a big crowd'. You might see it on signs or hear it in simple news stories. It is like the word 'crowd' in English. When many people are in one place, they make a 'gunshū'. You don't need to use it in every sentence, but knowing it will help you understand when people talk about big events like festivals or concerts.

At the A2 level, you can start to distinguish '群集' (gunshū) from the more common '人混み' (hitogomi). While 'hitogomi' is what you feel when the train is full, 'gunshū' is what you see when you look at a big group from far away. For example, if you are watching a parade, you are looking at a 'gunshū'. You can use the pattern '[Place] に群集がいます' (There is a crowd in [Place]). You will also see this word in stories or simple articles about history or nature. It is a good word to use when you want to sound a little more formal than just saying 'lots of people'. It helps you describe a scene more clearly, especially when talking about public places like squares (hiroba) or stadiums.

By the B1 level, you should be able to use '群集' (gunshū) in more complex sentences and understand its nuance of 'collective behavior'. This is the level where you might encounter the term '群集心理' (gunshū shinri), which means crowd psychology. You can use 'gunshū' to describe how a large group of people moves or acts as one. For example, 'The crowd moved toward the exit' (群集は出口の方へ動いた). You should also be aware that this word can apply to animals or plants in a scientific context, though 'mure' is still better for animals in daily life. Using 'gunshū' shows that you are moving beyond basic vocabulary and can describe social phenomena with more precision. It is a very useful word for writing short reports or descriptive essays.

At the B2 level, '群集' (gunshū) becomes a key part of your academic and descriptive vocabulary. You should understand its use in sociology and biology as a technical term for 'community' or 'population'. You will see it in news editorials discussing the 'masses' and their reactions to political events. At this level, you can use it metaphorically or in complex grammatical structures, such as '群集をかき分ける' (to push through a crowd). You should also be able to distinguish it from '群衆' (gunshū), which is specifically for humans, and '大衆' (taishū), which refers to the social class of the masses. Understanding these subtle differences is essential for reading Japanese newspapers and literature. Your ability to use 'gunshū' appropriately in formal writing will significantly enhance your professional Japanese skills.

For C1 learners, '群集' (gunshū) is a versatile tool for high-level discourse. You should be comfortable using it in academic papers, literary analysis, and professional reporting. You will encounter it in deep sociological texts, such as those by Gustave Le Bon translated into Japanese, discussing the nature of 'the crowd'. At this level, you should appreciate the word's ability to dehumanize or abstract a group of people into a single entity, which is a common technique in literature to emphasize the power or the danger of the masses. You should also be familiar with related technical terms like '群集組成' (community composition) in ecology. Your usage should reflect an understanding of the word's formal register and its specific connotations in different fields of study, from urban planning to social psychology.

At the C2 level, your mastery of '群集' (gunshū) should be near-native. You understand not only its literal meanings but also its deep cultural and historical resonances in Japanese thought. You can use it to discuss the tension between individualism and the 'gunshū' in modern Japanese society, or to analyze the stylistic choices of authors who use 'gunshū' to create a sense of scale or anonymity. You are aware of its archaic synonyms and its evolution as a scientific term. In your own writing and speaking, you use 'gunshū' with perfect precision, choosing it over 'hitogomi' or 'shūdan' to achieve a specific rhetorical effect. You can handle the most complex grammatical constructions involving the word and understand its role in the lexicon of sociology, biology, and the humanities at an expert level.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

群集 in 30 Seconds

Gunshū refers to a large, dense crowd or mass of people, animals, or plants gathered in a single location, often acting as one.
It is a formal and descriptive term frequently used in news reporting, literature, and scientific contexts like sociology or biology.
Unlike the casual 'hitogomi,' gunshū views the group from an external or analytical perspective, emphasizing the collective over the individual.
Commonly paired with concepts like 'crowd psychology' (gunshū shinri) or 'biological community' (seibutsu gunshū) to describe complex social or natural systems.

The Japanese word 群集 (ぐんしゅう - gunshū) is a sophisticated noun that translates primarily to 'crowd,' 'multitude,' or 'mass.' While it shares some conceptual ground with simpler words like 'people' (人々) or 'everyone' (みんな), it carries a specific nuance of a collective entity. It suggests a large number of individuals—be they humans, animals, or even plants—who have gathered in one place and are perceived not as distinct individuals, but as a single, cohesive, and often overwhelming force. In the context of urban life, you might see this word used to describe the sea of commuters at Shinjuku Station during rush hour or the massive gathering of fans at a summer festival in Kyoto. The term implies a sense of scale and density that is visually and physically palpable.

Etymological Breakdown: The first kanji, 群 (gun), represents a 'group,' 'flock,' or 'herd.' It is the same character used in words for social groups or animal clusters. The second kanji, 集 (shū), means to 'gather,' 'collect,' or 'assemble.' Together, they literally describe the act of a group assembling into a dense formation.

In a sociological or psychological context, gunshū is used to discuss 'crowd psychology' (群集心理 - gunshū shinri), which refers to how individuals lose their sense of self and adopt the behaviors or emotions of the larger group. This makes the word slightly more formal and analytical than the common word hitogomi (人混み), which simply means a 'crowded place.' When you use 群集, you are often taking a step back to observe the phenomenon of the crowd itself, rather than just complaining about the lack of personal space.

駅の前には、大きな群集ができていた。 (A large crowd had formed in front of the station.)

Beyond human gatherings, this word is also a technical term in biology. It refers to a 'community' or 'population' of organisms living together in a specific habitat. For example, a cluster of a specific type of wildflower in a meadow or a colony of sea creatures on a reef can be referred to as a 群集. This versatility demonstrates that the core essence of the word is about the 'collective existence' of living things in a shared space. Whether you are reading a news report about a political protest or a scientific paper about forest ecology, this word serves as a vital tool for describing large-scale gatherings.

Social Nuance: In Japanese society, the concept of the 'group' is highly valued. However, 'gunshū' can sometimes carry a slightly chaotic or unpredictable connotation, especially in literature where it might represent the 'masses' who are easily swayed by emotion or rhetoric.

彼は群集をかき分けて進んだ。 (He pushed his way through the crowd.)

Understanding this word allows you to describe scenes of high density with precision. It is common in literature, journalism, and academic writing. For instance, in a history book describing the end of a war, the author might write about the 'cheering crowds' (歓喜する群集) that filled the streets. In this sense, the word captures the shared emotion and physical presence of a large group of people acting in unison. It is a word that paints a picture of scale, movement, and collective energy.

Visualizing the Word: Think of a 'gunshū' as a single organism made of many parts. Like a school of fish or a flock of birds, the individual is less important than the movement of the whole. This is why it is often paired with verbs like 'yureru' (to sway) or 'ugoku' (to move), emphasizing the fluid nature of a large crowd.

In summary, gunshū is more than just 'many people.' It is a term of observation, science, and sociology. It describes the power and presence of the many gathered as one. By mastering this word, you move from simple descriptions to more nuanced, descriptive Japanese that can handle complex social and environmental scenes.

Using 群集 (gunshū) correctly requires an understanding of its formal and descriptive nature. Unlike 'hito' (person) or 'minna' (everyone), which are conversational and personal, 'gunshū' is used when the speaker is acting as an observer. It is most often the subject of a sentence describing a scene or the object of an action involving a large group. Because it is a noun, it can be followed by various particles like が (ga), を (o), or に (ni) depending on its role in the sentence.

As a Subject: When the crowd itself is performing an action, use 'gunshū ga'. Common actions include gathering, shouting, or moving. Example: 'Gunshū ga kōdō o hajimeta' (The crowd began to take action).

One of the most common grammatical patterns is [Noun] + の (no) + 群集. This specifies what kind of crowd it is. For example, 'kankōkyaku no gunshū' (a crowd of tourists) or 'shimin no gunshū' (a crowd of citizens). This structure is essential for providing detail in your descriptions. It transforms a generic 'crowd' into a specific, vivid image that the listener can visualize clearly.

広場には色とりどりの服を着た群集が集まっていた。 (A crowd wearing colorful clothes had gathered in the square.)

In more advanced usage, 'gunshū' is often paired with verbs of movement or change. For instance, 'gunshū o kakiwakeru' means to push through a crowd. This is a very common expression in novels. Another is 'gunshū ga saredasu' (the crowd begins to disperse). Notice how the word 'gunshū' allows you to describe these large-scale movements efficiently without having to mention individual people.

Scientific Usage: In biology, 'gunshū' is used as a technical term. You might see 'shokubutsu gunshū' (plant community) or 'seibutsu gunshū' (biological community). In these cases, it is often a compound noun and functions as a single technical unit.

その島には独自の生物群集が存在する。 (A unique biological community exists on that island.)

Another important pattern is the use of 'gunshū' in psychological contexts. 'Gunshū shinri' (crowd psychology) is a very common phrase used to explain why people act differently when they are part of a large group. For example: 'Gunshū shinri ga hataraite, minna ga sawaida' (Crowd psychology kicked in, and everyone started a commotion). This shows how the word moves from a simple physical description to an abstract concept explaining human behavior.

Literary Style: In literature, 'gunshū' can be used metaphorically. An author might describe a 'gunshū of stars' in the sky, though 'gunsei' (cluster of stars) is more common. However, using 'gunshū' gives the stars a sense of living, breathing presence as if they are a crowd watching from above.

Finally, consider the scale. 'Gunshū' is rarely used for a small group of friends at a table. It is for the thousands at a stadium, the hundreds in a protest, or the millions in a city. It is a word of magnitude. By using it, you signal to your listener that the scale of what you are describing is significant and noteworthy. It is a powerful word for building atmosphere in storytelling and reporting.

While you might not use 群集 (gunshū) in a casual chat with a friend about going to the mall, you will encounter it constantly in Japanese media and public life. It is the go-to word for news anchors, journalists, and non-fiction writers. If you turn on the NHK news during a major public event, such as the Emperor's birthday greeting or a massive political rally, you will hear the reporter describe the 'gathered crowd' (atsumatta gunshū) with this term. It provides a level of professional distance and descriptive clarity that is expected in broadcasting.

In the News: Reporters use 'gunshū' to describe the size and mood of a crowd. You might hear 'Gunshū wa shizuka ni matteiru' (The crowd is waiting quietly) or 'Gunshū ga bōdo ni kawatta' (The crowd turned into a riot). It is a standard term for reporting on social phenomena.

You will also find this word in historical documentaries and textbooks. When discussing the French Revolution or the Meiji Restoration, historians use 'gunshū' to refer to the 'masses' or the 'people' as a collective political force. It helps to differentiate between the actions of individual leaders and the movements of the general populace. In this context, 'gunshū' represents the power of the people when they act together.

歴史の転換点には、常に熱狂的な群集の姿があった。 (At the turning points of history, there were always figures of enthusiastic crowds.)

In the world of literature and film, 'gunshū' is used to create atmosphere. Think of a scene in a movie where the protagonist is lost in a busy city. The script might describe the 'gunshū' as an obstacle or a sea of anonymity that the character must navigate. In novels, writers use the word to evoke the feeling of being small in a large world. It is a very 'visual' word that helps the reader imagine the density and noise of a scene.

Academic and Scientific Settings: In university lectures on sociology or ecology, 'gunshū' is a fundamental term. Professors will talk about 'gunshū seitai-gaku' (community ecology) or the 'gunshū no shinri' (psychology of the masses). If you are a student in Japan, this word is unavoidable.

この地域の植物群集を調査した結果、興味深いことがわかった。 (As a result of investigating the plant community in this area, we found something interesting.)

Finally, you might encounter 'gunshū' in video game descriptions or fantasy novels, especially when describing a 'swarm' of monsters or a 'horde' of enemies. While 'mure' (flock/herd) is more common for animals, 'gunshū' adds a layer of complexity and scale, suggesting a truly massive and integrated group. Whether it is a crowd of people in a city or a cluster of organisms in nature, the word 'gunshū' is the key to describing the power of the many.

Public Announcements: During large-scale events, you might hear announcements like 'Gunshū no naka de wa, ashimoto ni go-chūi kudasai' (Please watch your step within the crowd). This formal usage is meant to address the group as a whole for safety reasons.

In summary, 'gunshū' is a word that bridges the gap between everyday observation and academic study. It is a word you hear when the scale of human or biological gathering becomes significant enough to be noteworthy. Paying attention to how this word is used in news and books will greatly enhance your understanding of Japanese social and scientific descriptions.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make with 群集 (gunshū) is using it in place of simpler words for 'crowd' or 'people.' Because Japanese has several words for groups of people, choosing the right one depends heavily on the context and the 'feeling' you want to convey. Using 'gunshū' in a casual conversation about a busy cafe can sound overly dramatic or even slightly strange, like you are writing a sociology report about your coffee break.

Mistake 1: Confusing it with '人混み' (Hitogomi): 'Hitogomi' is the standard word for a 'crowded place' or 'a lot of people' in a casual or everyday sense. If you say 'Eki wa gunshū deshita,' it sounds like you are describing a massive, organized gathering. If you just mean the station was busy, say 'Eki wa hitogomi ga sugokatta desu.'

Another common error is related to the scale of the group. 'Gunshū' implies a *large* multitude. Using it to describe a group of five or ten people is technically incorrect. For smaller groups, words like 'gurūpu' (group) or 'shūdan' (group/collective) are much more appropriate. 'Gunshū' should be reserved for hundreds or thousands of individuals where the individuals themselves are no longer the focus.

Incorrect: 教室の中に小さな群集がいます。 (There is a small crowd in the classroom.)
Correct: 教室の中に数人のグループがいます。 (There is a group of several people in the classroom.)

Learners also sometimes struggle with the 'biological' vs. 'human' usage. While 'gunshū' can refer to plants or animals, it is mostly used in scientific contexts for them. In everyday life, if you see a flock of birds, you should use 'mure' (群れ). If you use 'gunshū' for a few pigeons in the park, it sounds like you are writing a scientific paper on urban avian communities. Use 'mure' for animals in common speech.

Mistake 2: Kanji Confusion: There is another word, '群衆' (also pronounced gunshū), which is almost identical. In modern Japanese, they are often used interchangeably, but '群衆' specifically refers to people, while '群集' can refer to people, animals, or plants. For beginners, it's safer to stick to '群集' as it is more versatile, but be aware that '群衆' is very common in literature specifically for human crowds.

Grammatically, remember that 'gunshū' is a noun, not a verb. You cannot 'gunshū' somewhere. You must say 'gunshū ga atsumaru' (a crowd gathers) or 'gunshū o tsukuru' (to form a crowd). Attempting to use it as a 'suru' verb (like gunshū-suru) is a common mistake that sounds unnatural to native speakers.

Incorrect: 人々が公園に群集した。 (People 'crowded' in the park.)
Correct: 公園に群集が集まった。 (A crowd gathered in the park.)

Finally, avoid using 'gunshū' when you want to express a positive, intimate gathering. 'Gunshū' is neutral or slightly cold; it describes a mass of strangers. If you are talking about a warm gathering of friends or family, use 'atsumari' (gathering) or 'kai' (meeting/party). Using 'gunshū' for a family dinner would make it sound like a cold, anonymous event, which is the opposite of the intended meaning.

The 'Anonymous' Nuance: Always remember that 'gunshū' strips away individuality. If the people in the group are important as individuals, do not use this word. Use it only when the 'mass' is the story.

By avoiding these common pitfalls, you will use 'gunshū' like a native speaker—with precision, appropriate formality, and the correct descriptive weight. It is a powerful word when used correctly, but like any strong tool, it requires a careful hand.

Japanese is rich with words that describe groups, and understanding the differences between 群集 (gunshū) and its synonyms is key to reaching an advanced level of fluency. Each word carries a different 'flavor' and is used in different social or physical situations. Let's compare the most common alternatives to help you choose the right word for your context.

人混み (Hitogomi): This is the most common word for a 'crowd' in daily life. It literally means 'people mixed together.' Use this when you are complaining about how busy a train is or how many people are at a department store. It focuses on the discomfort or density of the people.

While hitogomi is about the experience of being in a crowd, gunshū is about the phenomenon of the crowd itself. If you are looking down from a balcony at a parade, you see a gunshū. If you are on the ground getting pushed around, you are in a hitogomi.

群れ (Mure): This word is primarily used for animals. A 'mure' of birds, sheep, or fish is the standard term. While 'gunshū' can be used for animals in a scientific sense, 'mure' is the everyday choice. Using 'mure' for people can sometimes be derogatory, implying they are acting like animals without thinking.

Comparison:
- 羊の群れ (A flock of sheep - Everyday)
- 植物の群集 (A plant community - Scientific)

集団 (Shūdan): This word means 'group' or 'collective.' Unlike 'gunshū,' which can be disorganized, 'shūdan' often implies a group with a common purpose or structure, like a 'shūdan kōdō' (group action/collective behavior) in a school or military setting. It is more about the organization than the size.

Another interesting synonym is 大衆 (taishū). This translates to 'the masses' or 'the general public.' It is used in political and social discussions to refer to the common people as a demographic. For example, 'taishū bunka' (popular culture). While 'gunshū' is a physical gathering, 'taishū' is a social concept. You can't see 'taishū' in a single room, but you can see a 'gunshū' in a room.

諸衆 (Moromoro no shū): This is an archaic or very formal term for 'the various people' or 'the multitudes.' You might find it in old literature or religious texts. It is much rarer than 'gunshū' but shares the same sense of a vast number of people.

Finally, consider 野次馬 (yajiuma). This is a very specific and colorful word for a 'crowd of onlookers' or 'rubberneckers' who gather out of curiosity, often at the scene of an accident or a fire. While 'gunshū' is neutral, 'yajiuma' is slightly critical, implying that the people are just there to watch something they shouldn't be interested in.

Summary Table: - 群集: Large collective mass (Formal/Scientific).
- 人混み: Crowded place (Daily/Informal).
- 集団: Organized group (Neutral/Functional).
- 群れ: Flock/Herd (Animals).
- 大衆: The masses (Sociological).
- 野次馬: Curious onlookers (Specific/Critical).

By mastering these distinctions, you can describe any social scene with the exact nuance required. Whether you are describing a biological ecosystem or a busy Tokyo street, choosing the right word for 'crowd' shows a deep understanding of the Japanese language and its subtle layers of meaning.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The kanji for 'shū' (集) actually contains the character for 'bird' (隹) three times in its ancient form, emphasizing the idea of many birds flocking together on a single tree.

Pronunciation Guide

UK ɡʊn.ʃuː

US ɡʊn.ʃuː

The pitch accent is 'Heiban' (Type 0), meaning the pitch starts low and rises, staying high for the rest of the word.

Rhymes With

Bunshū (Literary world) Junshū (Obedience) Kunshū (Monarch) Shūshū (Collection) Fushū (Custom) Koshū (Adherence) Ryūshū (Exile) Senshū (Last week)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'gun' like the English 'gun' (weapon). It should be closer to 'goon'.
Making the 'u' sound too short in 'shū'.
Confusing the pitch accent with 'gunshū' (Type 1), which is incorrect.
Not clearly pronouncing the 'n' before the 'sh' sound.
Mixing up the kanji order and saying 'shūgun'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

The kanji are N2-level, but the concept is easy to grasp once learned.

Writing 4/5

Writing the kanji '群' and '集' requires attention to stroke order and balance.

Speaking 2/5

Pronunciation is straightforward with no difficult sounds.

Listening 2/5

Easy to recognize in formal broadcasts due to its clear syllables.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

人 (Person) 多い (Many) 集まる (To gather) グループ (Group) 場所 (Place)

Learn Next

人混み (Crowded place) 集団 (Group) 心理 (Psychology) 社会 (Society) 現象 (Phenomenon)

Advanced

衆愚政治 (Ochlocracy/Mob rule) 烏合の衆 (Disorderly crowd) 群雄割拠 (Rivalry of local powerful families) 群小 (Small and numerous) 群抜 (Excellence/Standing out)

Grammar to Know

Noun + の + 群集

学生の群集が校門の前にいた。

Particle 'ni' for location of gathering

広場に群集が集まる。

Compound nouns with 'Gunshū'

群集心理を研究する。

Using 'o' for actions affecting the crowd

警察が群集を誘導する。

Adjective + 群集 to describe the mood

静かな群集が移動している。

Examples by Level

公園に大きな群集が集まりました。

A large crowd gathered in the park.

Uses 'ni' for location and 'ga' for the subject.

駅の前に群集がいます。

There is a crowd in front of the station.

Simple existence sentence with 'imasu'.

群集はとても大きいです。

The crowd is very big.

Topic marker 'wa' with an adjective.

祭りに群集が来ました。

A crowd came to the festival.

Movement verb 'kimashita'.

私は群集を見ました。

I saw the crowd.

Object marker 'o' with the verb 'mimashita'.

群集の声が聞こえます。

I can hear the voices of the crowd.

Possessive 'no' linking crowd and voices.

あの群集は何ですか？

What is that crowd?

Question form with 'nan desu ka'.

群集は静かです。

The crowd is quiet.

Simple descriptive sentence.

広場には観光客の群集ができていた。

A crowd of tourists had formed in the square.

Uses 'no' to specify the type of crowd.

その群集はどこへ行くのですか。

Where is that crowd going?

Directional 'e' with 'iku'.

群集の中から誰かが叫んだ。

Someone shouted from inside the crowd.

'Kara' indicates the origin of the sound.

警察が群集を整理している。

The police are organizing/managing the crowd.

Present progressive 'te-iru'.

群集は旗を振って応援した。

The crowd cheered while waving flags.

Compound action with 'te' form.

有名な歌手を一目見ようと、群集が集まった。

A crowd gathered to get a glimpse of the famous singer.

Uses 'to' to show purpose.

群集の波に飲まれそうになった。

I was almost swallowed by the wave of the crowd.

Metaphorical use of 'nami' (wave).

昨日の群集はすごかったですね。

The crowd yesterday was amazing, wasn't it?

Past tense with confirmation 'ne'.

群集心理によって、人々はパニックに陥った。

Due to crowd psychology, people fell into a panic.

'Ni yotte' indicates the cause.

彼は群集をかき分けて、前の方へ進んだ。

He pushed through the crowd and moved to the front.

Specific idiom 'kakiwakeru'.

巨大な群集が、大統領の演説に耳を傾けていた。

A huge crowd was listening intently to the President's speech.

Compound verb 'mimi o katamukeru'.

都会の群集の中にいると、孤独を感じることがある。

Being in a city crowd can sometimes make one feel lonely.

Conditional 'to' used for general truths.

その科学者は、干潟の生物群集を研究している。

The scientist is studying the biological community of the tidal flat.

Biological technical term 'seibutsu gunshū'.

群集が解散するまで、かなりの時間がかかった。

It took quite a while for the crowd to disperse.

'Made' indicates the time limit.

群集の期待に応えて、彼はアンコールを歌った。

Responding to the crowd's expectations, he sang an encore.

'Ni kotaete' means responding to something.

出口を求めて、群集が殺到した。

The crowd rushed, seeking the exit.

Verb 'sattō suru' meaning to rush/flood.

社会学者は、群集の行動パターンを詳細に分析した。

The sociologist analyzed the crowd's behavior patterns in detail.

Formal academic vocabulary.

群集の怒りは、ついに暴動へと発展した。

The anger of the crowd finally escalated into a riot.

'E to' emphasizes the direction of development.

彼は群集の顔を一人一人確認したが、目的の人物は見つからなかった。

He checked the faces of the crowd one by one, but couldn't find the person he was looking for.

Adverbial 'hitori hitori' meaning one by one.

植物群集の遷移は、長い年月をかけて行われる。

The succession of plant communities takes place over many years.

Technical term 'sen-i' (succession).

群集の歓声が、スタジアム全体に響き渡った。

The cheers of the crowd echoed throughout the entire stadium.

Verb 'hibiki-wataru' (to echo throughout).

メディアは、群集の熱狂を煽るような報道を繰り返した。

The media repeatedly produced reports that seemed to incite the crowd's enthusiasm.

Verb 'aoru' meaning to fan/incite.

群集をコントロールするのは、容易なことではない。

Controlling a crowd is no easy task.

Nominalized verb 'suru no' as a subject.

彼は、群集の中に紛れ込んで逃げ去った。

He slipped into the crowd and escaped.

Compound verb 'magure-konde'.

ル・ボンの『群集心理』は、現代社会においても示唆に富んでいる。

Le Bon's 'The Crowd' is rich with suggestions even in modern society.

Literary reference and formal expression 'shisa ni tomu'.

群集の匿名性が、個人の道徳的抑制を失わせることがある。

The anonymity of the crowd can sometimes cause individuals to lose their moral restraints.

Causative verb 'ushinawaseru'.

その都市計画は、群集の流動性を最適化するように設計されている。

The urban planning is designed to optimize the flow of the crowd.

Passive voice 'sekkei sarete-iru'.

群集の意志というものは、時として個人の知性を凌駕する。

The will of the crowd sometimes surpasses the intelligence of the individual.

Verb 'ryōga suru' (to surpass/excel).

特定の環境下では、植物群集の多様性が著しく低下する。

Under specific environments, the diversity of plant communities significantly decreases.

Formal adverb 'ichijirushiku'.

彼は群集を一つの有機体として捉え、そのダイナミズムを記述した。

He viewed the crowd as a single organism and described its dynamism.

Verb 'toraeru' (to perceive/view as).

革命の火蓋は、群集の突発的な行動によって切られた。

The opening shot of the revolution was fired by the sudden action of the crowd.

Idiom 'hibuta o kiru' (to start something).

群集の喧騒を離れ、彼は静かな裏通りへと足を踏み入れた。

Leaving the bustle of the crowd, he stepped into a quiet back alley.

Noun 'kensō' (bustle/noise).

群集という不可視の重圧が、彼の精神を徐々に蝕んでいった。

The invisible pressure of the crowd gradually eroded his spirit.

Verb 'mushibamu' (to erode/eat away).

群集の狂気は、しばしば理性的な議論を無効化する。

The madness of the crowd often invalidates rational argument.

Noun 'kyōki' (madness) and 'mūkōka' (invalidation).

生態学的視点から見れば、人間社会もまた一つの巨大な群集系である。

From an ecological perspective, human society is also one giant community system.

Suffix '-kei' (system).

群集の深層心理を読み解くことは、現代の政治家にとって不可欠な素養だ。

Deciphering the deep psychology of the masses is an essential quality for modern politicians.

Formal noun 'soyō' (attainment/quality).

その建築家は、群集の呼吸を空間設計に取り入れることを試みた。

The architect attempted to incorporate the 'breath' of the crowd into the spatial design.

Metaphorical 'kokyū' (breath).

群集の無意識的な共鳴が、予期せぬ社会変動を引き起こす。

The unconscious resonance of the masses triggers unexpected social changes.

Noun 'kyōmei' (resonance).

彼は、群集の騒乱を冷徹な眼差しで観察し続けた。

He continued to observe the crowd's turmoil with a cold, piercing gaze.

Adjective 'reitetsu na' (cold/composed).

群集の属性を定量化する試みは、ビッグデータ解析によって新たな局面を迎えた。

Attempts to quantify the attributes of crowds have reached a new phase through big data analysis.

Compound noun 'kyokumen o mukaeta' (reached a phase).

Synonyms

群れ集団大勢人混み雑踏観衆

Antonyms

個人単体孤立

Common Collocations

群集が押し寄せる

群集をかき分ける

巨大な群集

群集心理

生物群集

群集が散る

熱狂的な群集

群集の波

群集を整理する

植物群集

Common Phrases

群集の中に消える

— To disappear into a crowd. Used when someone becomes untraceable among many people.

犯人は群集の中に消えた。

群集を煽る

— To incite or stir up a crowd. Often used for agitators or performers.

彼は巧みな演説で群集を煽った。

群集をなす

— To form a crowd. Describes the process of many people gathering.

広場には人々が群集をなしていた。

群集から離れる

— To move away from the crowd. Used for seeking peace or privacy.

群集から離れて一休みする。

群集を統制する

— To control or manage a crowd. Used in professional or security contexts.

群集を統制するのは難しい。

群集の期待

— The expectations of the crowd. Refers to what a large group wants.

群集の期待に応える演技。

群集の視線

— The gaze of the crowd. Refers to being watched by many people.

群集の視線を浴びて緊張する。

群集と化す

— To turn into a crowd/mob. Implies losing individual identity.

人々は暴徒と化した群集となった。

群集の喧騒

— The noise/bustle of the crowd. Describes the loud environment.

群集の喧騒が聞こえてくる。

群集の流れ

— The flow of the crowd. Describes the movement of a mass of people.

群集の流れに逆らって歩く。

Often Confused With

群集 vs 群衆 (Gunshū)

Almost identical. '群衆' is specifically for humans, while '群集' is broader (people, animals, plants).

群集 vs 集団 (Shūdan)

Implies an organized group with a purpose, whereas 'gunshū' can be disorganized.

群集 vs 人混み (Hitogomi)

Focuses on the experience of being in a crowded place, usually informal.

Idioms & Expressions

"群集心理に流される"

— To be swept away by crowd psychology. Acting without thinking because everyone else is doing it.

冷静さを失い、群集心理に流されてしまった。

Neutral

"群集の海"

— A sea of people. A metaphor for a vast and overwhelming crowd.

新宿の駅は、まさに群集の海だった。

Literary

"群集を敵に回す"

— To turn the crowd against oneself. Making a large group of people angry.

不用意な発言で、彼は群集を敵に回した。

Neutral

"群集の渦"

— A whirlpool of people. Describing a chaotic and swirling crowd.

祭りの会場は、群集の渦に包まれていた。

Literary

"群集を魅了する"

— To fascinate or charm a crowd. Used for great performers or leaders.

彼の歌声は、会場の群集を魅了した。

Neutral

"群集の中に埋もれる"

— To be buried/lost in the crowd. Feeling insignificant or hidden among many.

都会では、自分も群集の中に埋もれてしまう。

Neutral

"群集を鎮める"

— To calm a crowd. Stopping a commotion or riot.

指導者は冷静に群集を鎮めた。

Formal

"群集を二分する"

— To split the crowd into two. Causing a disagreement among a large group.

その判定は、群集を二分する議論を呼んだ。

Formal

"群集の盾"

— A shield of the crowd. Using a group of people for protection.

彼は群集を盾にして逃走した。

Literary

"群集の寵児"

— The darling/favorite of the crowd. Someone very popular with the masses.

彼は一躍、群集の寵児となった。

Literary

Easily Confused

群集 vs 群れ (Mure)

Both mean a group of living things.

Mure is used for animals in daily life. Gunshū is more formal and used for people or scientific contexts.

鳥の群れ (flock of birds) vs 生物群集 (biological community).

群集 vs 大衆 (Taishū)

Both refer to many people.

Taishū refers to the 'masses' as a social class. Gunshū is a physical gathering in a specific place.

大衆文化 (pop culture) vs 広場の群集 (crowd in the square).

群集 vs 集合 (Shūgō)

Both involve gathering.

Shūgō is the act of gathering or a mathematical set. Gunshū is the resulting mass of people.

駅に集合する (gather at the station) vs 駅の群集 (crowd at the station).

群集 vs 行列 (Gyōretsu)

Both involve many people.

Gyōretsu is a line or queue. Gunshū is a disorganized mass.

ラーメン屋の行列 (line for ramen) vs 街の群集 (crowd in the city).

群集 vs 諸君 (Shokun)

Both relate to many people.

Shokun is a formal way to address a group ('Gentlemen'/'Everyone'). Gunshū is a noun for the crowd itself.

諸君、聞いてくれ (Everyone, listen) vs 群集が聞いている (The crowd is listening).

Sentence Patterns

[Place] に群集がいます。

駅に群集がいます。

[Adjective] 群集が [Verb]。

大きな群集が集まりました。

群集は [Noun] を [Verb]。

群集は出口を目指した。

[Noun] の群集が [Verb]。

怒った市民の群集が押し寄せた。

群集は [Abstract Noun] の [Noun] である。

群集は時代の鏡である。

[Clause] ことで、群集は [Verb]。

演説を聞くことで、群集は熱狂した。

群集という [Noun] が [Verb]。

群集という怪物が街を飲み込んだ。

群集の [Noun] を [Verb] する。

群集の深層心理を分析する。

Word Family

Nouns

群 (Group/Flock)

集まり (Gathering)

集合 (Assembly)

群生 (Gregarious growth)

Verbs

群れる (To flock/herd)

集まる (To gather)

集める (To collect)

Adjectives

群生する (Growing in clusters)

集中的な (Intensive/Focused)

心理 (Psychology)

生態 (Ecology)

暴動 (Riot)

喧騒 (Bustle)

匿名 (Anonymity)

How to Use It

frequency

Common in formal writing, news, and literature. Rare in casual daily conversation.

Common Mistakes

Using 'gunshū' for a small group. → Use 'gurūpu' or 'shūdan' for smaller groups.
'Gunshū' specifically implies a large multitude where individual identities are lost.
Saying 'gunshū-suru'. → Say 'gunshū ga atsumaru'.
'Gunshū' is a noun and cannot be directly turned into a verb with 'suru'.
Using 'gunshū' for a flock of birds in casual talk. → Use 'mure'.
'Gunshū' is too formal for everyday animal sightings; 'mure' is the standard word.
Confusing 'gunshū' with 'hitogomi' when complaining. → Use 'hitogomi' to express personal annoyance at a crowd.
'Gunshū' is an objective, formal term. 'Hitogomi' is subjective and conversational.
Writing '群集' as '集群'. → The order is always '群' then '集'.
Japanese kanji order is fixed. Reversing them changes or invalidates the meaning.

Tips

Essay Writing

When writing an essay about urban problems, use 'gunshū' to refer to the masses. it adds a professional tone to your work.

Kanji Meaning

Focus on the first kanji '群' (group) to remember the word. It's the same 'gun' in 'gun-yū' (rival heroes).

Festival Context

Observe how news reporters use 'gunshū' during the Gion Matsuri to describe the massive turnout of spectators.

Biology Terms

If you study biology in Japanese, remember 'seibutsu gunshū' for 'biological community.' It's a fundamental term.

Particle Choice

Use 'gunshū no naka ni' to mean 'inside the crowd.' It's a very common spatial expression.

Literature Tip

In novels, 'gunshū' often represents the 'anonymous society' that the protagonist struggles against.

Formal Speech

If giving a speech about a large event, use 'gunshū' to describe the audience to sound more sophisticated.

Distance

Think of 'gunshū' as looking through a camera lens, and 'hitogomi' as being in the middle of the frame.

News Keywords

When you hear 'gunshū' on the news, the story is likely about a large public event, a protest, or a natural phenomenon.

Visualizing

Visualize a 'sea of people' (gunshū no umi) to link the word to its common metaphorical usage.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'GUN' firing and people 'SHU'-ing (shooing) away into a massive crowd. Or, a 'Group' (Gun) 'Shooting' (Shu) into a single mass.

Visual Association

Imagine a giant tree covered in hundreds of birds. This is the origin of the second kanji 'shū' and perfectly represents the 'mass' feeling of 'gunshū'.

Word Web

Crowd Mass Biology Sociology Density Flock Gathering Anonymity

Challenge

Try to use 'gunshū' in a sentence describing a scene from a movie you watched recently. Focus on the scale of the people involved.

Word Origin

The word is composed of two kanji of Chinese origin (Sino-Japanese). '群' (gun) dates back to ancient oracle bone script, depicting a sheep (羊) and a phonetic component, signifying a flock. '集' (shū) originally depicted birds gathering on a tree, signifying the act of assembling.

Original meaning: A gathering of flocks or a collection of many things in one place.

Sino-Japanese (Kango).

Cultural Context

Be careful when using 'gunshū' for people you know; it is impersonal. It is better for strangers or general populations.

In English, 'crowd' is more common and less formal than 'gunshū.' We might use 'multitude' or 'masses' to match the formal tone of 'gunshū.'

Gustave Le Bon's 'The Crowd' (Japanese title: 群集心理) The Shibuya Scramble Crossing (often described as a gunshū) Natsume Soseki's novels often describe the lonely individual within the gunshū.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Festivals and Events

祭りの群集
群集が押し寄せる
熱狂する群集
群集を整理する

News and Reporting

群集の暴徒化
巨大な群集
群集の解散
群集に向けた演説

Biological Science

生物群集の多様性
植物群集の調査
群集の構造
安定した群集

Social Psychology

群集心理の影響
群集の匿名性
群集の行動
群集の意志

Urban Life

都会の群集
群集の中に紛れる
群集を避ける
群集の流れ

Conversation Starters

"あの群集は何を待っているのでしょうか？ (What do you think that crowd is waiting for?)"

"群集心理についてどう思いますか？ (What are your thoughts on crowd psychology?)"

"大きな群集の中にいると、どう感じますか？ (How do you feel when you are in a large crowd?)"

"日本の祭りの群集は、とても整理されていると思いませんか？ (Don't you think crowds at Japanese festivals are very well-organized?)"

"群集を避けて歩くコツはありますか？ (Do you have any tips for walking while avoiding the crowd?)"

Journal Prompts

今日、街で見かけた群集について詳しく描写してください。 (Describe in detail the crowd you saw in town today.)

あなたが群集の一部になった時の経験を書いてください。 (Write about an experience when you became part of a crowd.)

群集心理が人々の行動にどのような影響を与えるか考察してください。 (Consider how crowd psychology affects people's behavior.)

もしあなたが群集をコントロールする立場だったら、何をしますか？ (If you were in a position to control a crowd, what would you do?)

生物群集としての人間社会について、あなたの考えを述べてください。 (State your thoughts on human society as a biological community.)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, 'gunshū' implies a very large, anonymous crowd. For friends, use 'atsumari' or 'gurūpu'. Using 'gunshū' for friends would sound very strange and overly formal, as if you are studying them as a mass phenomenon.

They are pronounced the same (gunshū). '群衆' specifically refers to people (the character 衆 means 'multitude of people'). '群集' is more general and can refer to people, animals, or plants. In modern usage, they are often interchangeable for human crowds, but '群集' is used in science.

It is generally neutral, but it can have negative nuances in literature or sociology, implying a 'mob' that lacks individual reason. However, in a news report about a festival, it is purely descriptive and neutral.

In a scientific or formal context, yes (e.g., 'gyoryū gunshū'). However, in daily conversation, 'mure' (魚の群れ) is much more natural and common.

Yes, it typically appears at the N2 level, though the concept is useful for N3 and above as you read more formal texts and news articles.

It is '群集心理' (gunshū shinri). This is a very common compound word used to describe how people act differently when they are part of a large group.

No, it is a noun. To say 'a crowd gathered,' you must use 'gunshū ga atsumatta.' You cannot say 'gunshū-shita' as it is not a suru-verb.

Usually no. For stars, 'gunsei' (cluster of stars) is used. 'Gunshū' implies living organisms (people, animals, plants).

In terms of social units, 'kojin' (individual) is the opposite. In terms of size, 'shōsū' (small number) is the opposite.

Use 'hitogomi' when you are talking about a place being crowded and how it affects you personally (e.g., 'I hate crowds'). Use 'gunshū' when you are describing the crowd as an external object or phenomenon.