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A1 noun #3,519 most common 16 min read

住民

jūmin Top 3,519

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 住民 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 住民 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should think of 住民 (jūmin) as the basic word for 'people who live in a place.' Since you are just starting your Japanese journey, you will mostly see this word in very simple contexts. Imagine you are looking at a picture of a small town. The people you see in the houses are the 住民. You might use it in a sentence like 'The residents are kind' or 'I am a resident of this town.' The grammar is straightforward: you just put the location first, then 'no,' then '住民.' For example, 'Tokyo no jūmin' means 'residents of Tokyo.' It is a very useful word because it helps you describe groups of people without needing to know their names or specific jobs. Just remember that it is a noun, and it refers to humans. Even if you only know a few words, '住民' is a powerful one to have in your vocabulary because it is common in signs and basic announcements. When you see a sign that says '住民,' it usually means something is for the people who live there. At this stage, focus on the connection between the place and the people. If you live in an apartment, you and your neighbors are all 'jūmin.' It is a friendly but slightly official way to talk about the community around you. Don't worry about the kanji yet; just focus on the sound 'jūmin' and its meaning as 'resident.'

At the A2 level, you can begin to use 住民 (jūmin) in more practical, everyday situations. You are likely moving beyond simple descriptions and starting to interact with your surroundings. For example, if you live in Japan, you will need to know this word for basic errands. When you go to the city hall to register where you live, you are performing a 'jūmin tōroku' (resident registration). You might also see notices in your apartment building addressed to '住民の皆様' (To all residents). At this level, you should understand that 住民 is more formal than 'people' (hitobito) but less formal than legal terms. You can use it to talk about neighborhood activities, like a 'jūmin kaigi' (residents' meeting). You should also notice how it combines with other words. For instance, 'kinjo no jūmin' (residents of the neighborhood) is a great phrase to use when talking about your daily life. It sounds more natural and 'Japanese' than saying 'the people who live near me.' You are also learning to use particles more effectively, so practice saying things like 'jūmin ga hantai shite imasu' (the residents are opposing [something]) or 'jūmin ni kikimashita' (I asked the residents). This word helps you sound more organized and respectful when discussing community issues. It's a key word for navigating social life in a Japanese neighborhood.

At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 住民 (jūmin) to discuss social issues and community dynamics. You are now able to express opinions and describe situations in more detail. 住民 becomes a very useful term for talking about local news or public concerns. For example, you might discuss how 'jūmin no koe' (the voice of the residents) is important for local government decisions. You will also encounter compound nouns more frequently, such as '住民税' (jūminzei - resident tax) and '住民票' (jūminhyō - certificate of residence). At this stage, it is important to distinguish 住民 from 'citizens' (shimin) and 'nationals' (kokumin). You should understand that 住民 is the broader term for anyone living in an area, regardless of their nationality or the size of the town. You can use it to talk about demographic changes, like 'jūmin no kōreika' (the aging of the residents). You might also use it in the context of environment or safety, such as 'jūmin no anzen o mamoru' (protecting the safety of the residents). Your ability to use 住民 in these slightly more abstract contexts shows that you are moving toward a more professional and socially aware level of Japanese. You can also start using the word '住人' (jūnin) correctly, noting that it's for more specific or individual contexts, whereas 住民 is your go-to for social and administrative topics.

At the B2 level, 住民 (jūmin) is a word you will use and hear in professional, academic, or high-level social contexts. You should be able to follow complex news reports or read newspaper articles where 住民 is a central term. For example, you might read about '住民運動' (jūmin undō - residents' movements or activism) regarding environmental protection or urban planning. You should understand the nuances of how 住民 is used in legal and administrative language. Terms like '住民基本台帳' (Basic Resident Ledger) should be familiar if you are dealing with official documents. At this level, you can also use 住民 to describe statistical trends, such as '住民の意識調査' (a survey of residents' attitudes). You are expected to use the word with the correct level of formality. In a business meeting about a local project, you would use 住民 to refer to the target demographic or the stakeholders in the community. You can also handle more complex sentence structures, such as '住民の意向を反映させる' (to reflect the intentions of the residents). Understanding the word at this level means recognizing its role in the democratic process and the social contract in Japan. It is no longer just 'people who live here'; it is a term that encompasses rights, duties, and collective social identity. You should also be able to explain the difference between 住民 and more technical terms like '居住者' (kyojūsha) in a professional setting.

At the C1 level, your understanding of 住民 (jūmin) should be nuanced and deeply integrated into your knowledge of Japanese society and law. You should be able to use this term in sophisticated debates about urban sociology, public policy, or legal rights. For instance, you might analyze the '住民参加型' (resident-participation type) of governance and how it differs from traditional top-down administration. You should be sensitive to the sociological implications of the word, such as the tension between 'old residents' (kyū-jūmin) and 'new residents' (shin-jūmin) in gentrifying areas. In academic writing, you might use 住民 when discussing '住民自治' (local autonomy by residents), a key concept in Japanese local government law. Your vocabulary should include highly specific compounds like '住民訴訟' (residents' lawsuit) or '住民投票' (referendum/residents' vote). At this level, you are not just using the word; you are analyzing the social reality it represents. You can discuss the legal definitions of residency and how they impact social welfare and voting rights. You should also be able to appreciate the word's use in literature or high-level journalism to evoke a sense of community or, conversely, a sense of administrative coldness. Mastery at C1 means being able to switch seamlessly between the administrative, sociological, and everyday uses of the word, always choosing the one that conveys the exact shade of meaning required for your argument.

At the C2 level, you possess a native-like grasp of 住民 (jūmin), including its historical evolution and its precise application in the most specialized fields. You can interpret and draft legal documents where the definition of a '住民' is the crux of a case. You understand the historical shift from pre-modern concepts of 'people' to the modern, state-defined 'jūmin' through the evolution of the family registry system (koseki) and the resident ledger system. In high-level philosophical or political discourse, you can critique the concept of '住民' in the context of globalization and the rights of non-citizen residents (zainichi or foreign workers). You are familiar with the most obscure administrative terminology and can navigate the complexities of local government finance where '住民税' calculations are discussed. Your use of the word is flawless, whether you are giving a keynote speech on urban planning or engaging in a deep-dive analysis of demographic shifts in rural Japan. You can also spot when the term is being used strategically in political rhetoric to create a sense of 'us' versus 'them' or to appeal to a specific local identity. At this level, '住民' is a tool you use with precision to navigate the deepest layers of Japanese social, legal, and political life, fully aware of every connotation and historical echo the word carries.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

住民 in 30 Seconds

住民 (jūmin) means 'resident' or 'inhabitant' and is used for people living in a specific area like a town or building.
It is a formal and administrative term, often seen on government forms (like resident tax or registration) and in the news.
It differs from 'shimin' (city dweller) by being more general and 'jūnin' (occupant) by being more collective and official.
It is strictly used for humans who have a settled home, not for temporary visitors or animals.

The Japanese word 住民 (じゅうみん - jūmin) is a foundational noun that English speakers often translate as 'resident' or 'inhabitant.' At its linguistic core, it is composed of two kanji: 住 (jū), which means 'to dwell' or 'to live,' and 民 (min), which means 'people' or 'citizens.' Together, they form a term that describes a person or a collective group of people who officially occupy a specific geographic area, such as a town, a city, a neighborhood, or even a specific apartment complex. While simple in definition, the word carries a weight of formality and collective identity that is essential to understand for any student of the Japanese language. Unlike the more casual word for 'people' (人々 - hitobito), 住民 implies a legal or administrative connection to a place. It is the word you will see on government forms, hear in news reports about local issues, and use when discussing the rights and responsibilities of those living within a community.

Administrative Context: In Japanese society, being a 'jūmin' involves being registered in the Basic Resident Ledger (住民基本台帳). This registration is the basis for health insurance, taxes, and voting rights, making the term deeply linked to one's legal status in a locality.

この町の住民はとても親切です。(Kono machi no jūmin wa totemo shinsetsu desu.) - The residents of this town are very kind.

When should you use this word instead of others? Think of 住民 as the default 'neutral-to-formal' term. If you are talking about the people who live in your apartment building and how they all follow the trash collection rules, 住民 is perfect. If you are discussing a new park being built and how it will benefit the local population, 住民 is the correct choice. It is less about the individual's personality and more about their role as a member of a physical community. In English, we might say 'the locals,' but in Japanese, 住民 sounds more respectful and precise. It avoids the potentially exclusionary nuance that 'locals' can sometimes have in English, focusing instead on the shared fact of residency.

Collective Nuance: Often used in the plural sense even without a pluralizing suffix, 住民 typically refers to the residents as a whole group rather than one specific person, although 'hitori no jūmin' (one resident) is grammatically correct.

新しい道路の建設に住民が反対している。(Atarashii dōro no kensetsu ni jūmin ga hantai shite iru.) - The residents are opposing the construction of a new road.

Furthermore, 住民 is versatile across different scales. It can refer to the residents of a small village (村の住民 - mura no jūmin), the inhabitants of a massive city (都会の住民 - tokai no jūmin), or even the occupants of a specific facility. However, it is rarely used for animals; for animals living in a habitat, words like 生息者 (seisokusha) are used. 住民 is strictly for humans who have established a home. It implies a sense of permanence. A tourist staying at a hotel for a week is never called a 住民; they are 宿泊客 (shukuhakukyaku - lodging guest). To be a 住民, you must have your 'roots'—even if temporary—planted in the soil of that specific location. This distinction is vital for learners to grasp: 住民 is about 'dwelling' (住), not just 'being' there.

Social Responsibility: Being a 住民 in Japan comes with expectations, such as participating in 'jichikai' (neighborhood associations) and contributing to the community's upkeep, like 'clean-up days.'

マンションの住民会議に出席した。(Manshon no jūmin kaigi ni shusseki shita.) - I attended the residents' meeting of the apartment building.

In summary, 住民 is the bridge between a person and their location. It is a word that turns a 'place' into a 'home' in the eyes of the law and the community. Whether you are reading a lease agreement, listening to a mayor's speech, or just talking about your neighbors, 住民 provides the necessary level of clarity and respect. It is an essential building block for understanding Japanese social structures and navigating daily life in Japan. By mastering this word, you move beyond just 'living' in Japan and begin to understand what it means to be a 'resident' within its complex and organized society.

地域の住民の声を聞くことが大切だ。(Chiiki no jūmin no koe o kiku koto ga taisetsu da.) - It is important to listen to the voices of the local residents.

この島には約100人の住民がいます。(Kono shima ni wa yaku hyakunin no jūmin ga imasu.) - There are about 100 residents on this island.

Using 住民 effectively requires understanding its grammatical placement as a noun. It often acts as the subject of a sentence, the object of a verb, or a modifier for other nouns. Because it refers to people, it is usually followed by particles like は (wa), が (ga), or を (o). However, one of its most common uses is in the form [Location] + の + 住民, which specifies exactly where the people live. For example, 町の住民 (machi no jūmin) means 'residents of the town.' This structure is incredibly productive and can be adapted to any scale of habitation, from a small room to a vast prefecture.

Possessive Structure: [Place] + の + 住民. This is the standard way to attribute residency. Example: アパートの住民 (apāto no jūmin) - residents of the apartment.

近所の住民と挨拶を交わした。(Kinjo no jūmin to aisatsu o kawashita.) - I exchanged greetings with the residents of the neighborhood.

In formal Japanese, 住民 is frequently paired with verbs related to administration, movement, or social interaction. You will often see it paired with 移動 (idō - movement), 登録 (tōroku - registration), or 説明会 (setsumeikai - explanatory meeting). When a local government wants to build a new facility, they hold a 住民説明会 (jūmin setsumeikai). This compound noun usage is very common in newspapers. For a learner, being able to recognize 住民 as a prefix in compound words will significantly boost reading comprehension. It functions almost like an adjective meaning 'resident-related' in these contexts.

Compound Nouns: 住民税 (jūminzei - resident tax), 住民票 (jūminhyō - certificate of residence), 住民運動 (jūmin undō - residents' movement/activism).

市役所で住民票を受け取りました。(Shiyakusho de jūminhyō o uketorimashita.) - I received my certificate of residence at the city hall.

Another nuance involves the difference between 住民 and 住人 (jūnin). While both mean resident, 住民 is the 'big picture' word used for groups and officialdom. 住人 is more often used for specific individuals living in a house or the 'inhabitants' of a fictional world (like 'dwellers of the forest'). If you are talking about the people in a city in a statistical or social sense, stick with 住民. If you are describing the mysterious person living in the house next door, you might use 住人. Understanding this subtle shift in scale—from the official/collective (住民) to the personal/specific (住人)—is a mark of an advanced learner, though for A1 purposes, 住民 is your safest and most useful bet.

Quantifying Residents: Use the counter ~人 (nin) to count residents. Example: 300人の住民 (sanbyaku-nin no jūmin) - 300 residents.

この地域の住民の半分は高齢者です。(Kono chiiki no jūmin no hanbun wa kōreisha desu.) - Half of the residents in this area are elderly.

Finally, consider the emotional tone. 住民 is generally neutral. It doesn't imply warmth or coldness, just the fact of residency. However, in the context of 住民同士 (jūmin dōshi - between residents), it can describe the social fabric of a place. For example, 住民同士のトラブル (jūmin dōshi no toraburu) refers to 'trouble between residents' (like noise complaints). By using this word, you are framing the situation in a clear, objective way that is very typical of Japanese communication styles. It allows you to discuss complex social dynamics without being overly personal or informal.

避難所で多くの住民が生活している。(Hinansho de ōku no jūmin ga seikatsu shite iru.) - Many residents are living in the evacuation center.

政府は住民の安全を第一に考えている。(Seifu wa jūmin no anzen o daiichi ni kangaete iru.) - The government is putting the safety of the residents first.

If you live in Japan, you will encounter the word 住民 almost immediately upon arrival. The most critical encounter is at the 役所 (yakusho - public office). Whether it is a ward office in Tokyo or a village hall in rural Hokkaido, you will see signs for 住民課 (jūminka - Residents' Division). This is where you register your address. The clerk will ask you for information to create your 住民票 (jūminhyō), which is the official document proving where you live. This document is essential for everything from opening a bank account to signing a cell phone contract. In this environment, 住民 isn't just a word; it's your legal identity.

At the City Hall: 'Jūmin-hyō o kudasai' (Please give me a residence certificate). This is one of the most important 'survival Japanese' phrases for expats.

区役所の住民課は二階にあります。(Kuyakusho no jūminka wa nikai ni arimasu.) - The residents' division of the ward office is on the second floor.

Another common place to hear 住民 is in your own home, specifically if you live in an apartment (mansion). You will often see notices posted in the lobby or elevator addressed to 住民の皆様 (jūmin no minasama - To all residents). These notices might be about upcoming water maintenance, fire drills, or reminders about garbage disposal rules. In this context, the word is used to address the community collectively and politely. It creates a sense of shared responsibility. If there is a noise complaint, the building management might issue a warning to 'all residents' (住民の皆様) to be mindful of their volume at night. Hearing or reading this word indicates that something relevant to your living situation is being communicated.

Building Management: 'Jūmin no minasama e' (To all residents). This is the standard heading for any memo or announcement in an apartment complex.

マンションの掲示板に住民へのお知らせがあった。(Manshon no keijiban ni jūmin e no oshirase ga atta.) - There was a notice for residents on the apartment bulletin board.

The news and newspapers are also filled with the word 住民. Whenever there is a discussion about urban development, environmental changes, or local elections, the term 住民の意向 (jūmin no ikō - the intentions/will of the residents) or 住民の声 (jūmin no koe - the voice of the residents) is used. It represents the democratic element of local life. For example, if a new factory is being built, the media will report on whether the 周辺住民 (shūhen jūmin - surrounding residents) are in favor or opposition. In this way, 住民 serves as a collective noun for the public in a specific area. It is more localized than 国民 (kokumin - the nation's people) and more administrative than 人々 (hitobito - people).

In the News: 'Jūmin no fuan ga hirogatte imasu' (Anxiety is spreading among residents). This is a common phrase after a natural disaster or a crime in an area.

ニュースで住民のインタビューが流れた。(Nyūsu de jūmin no intabyū ga nagareta.) - An interview with a resident was aired on the news.

Lastly, you will encounter 住民 in the context of taxes. Every year, anyone living in Japan must pay 住民税 (jūminzei - resident tax) to their local municipality. This tax funds local services like schools, garbage collection, and road maintenance. When you receive your tax bill in the mail, the word 住民 will be front and center. While paying taxes isn't the most fun part of living in Japan, understanding the word on the bill helps you navigate the bureaucratic side of life. It reinforces the idea that being a 住民 is a status that involves both benefits (local services) and obligations (taxes).

毎年、住民税を払わなければなりません。(Mainen, jūminzei o harawanakereba narimasen.) - You must pay resident tax every year.

地元の住民はお祭りを心待ちにしている。(Jimoto no jūmin wa omatsuri o kokoromachi ni shite iru.) - The local residents are looking forward to the festival.

One of the most frequent mistakes for English speakers is confusing 住民 (jūmin) with 住人 (jūnin). While both can be translated as 'resident,' they are used differently in practice. 住民 is an administrative and collective term. It refers to people as part of a municipality or a large community. 住人, on the other hand, is more personal and specific. It often refers to the person living in a specific house or apartment, or sometimes even the 'occupant' of a metaphorical space. For example, if you are talking about the person who lives in the apartment above you, 上の階の住人 (ue no kai no jūnin) is more natural than 住民. Using 住民 for a single individual in a casual conversation can sound slightly stiff or overly legalistic.

Mistake: Over-using 住民 for individuals: Avoid saying 'Kare wa kono ie no jūmin desu' (He is a resident of this house). Instead, use 'jūnin' or simply 'sunde imasu' (lives here).

❌ この家の住民は誰ですか？ (Kono ie no jūmin wa dare desu ka?)
✅ この家の住人は誰ですか？ (Kono ie no jūnin wa dare desu ka?)

Another error involves the distinction between 住民 and 市民 (shimin - citizen). In English, we often use 'citizen' and 'resident' interchangeably in casual speech, but in Japanese, they are distinct. 市民 specifically refers to people living in a 市 (shi - city). If you live in a 村 (mura - village) or a 町 (machi - town), you are a 住民, but you are not a 市民. Furthermore, 市民 can sometimes imply 'citizenship' in a political sense, whereas 住民 is strictly about residency. If you are discussing the legal rights of people living in a city, 市民 is appropriate. If you are talking about the people who actually live there (including non-citizens or those from other towns), 住民 is the broader, more accurate term.

Mistake: Mixing up City vs. General Residency: Don't use 'shimin' if the location is a village (mura). Use 'jūmin' as the safe, catch-all term for any type of settlement.

村の住民たちが集まった。(Mura no jūmin-tachi ga atsumatta.) - The residents of the village gathered.

A subtle mistake is using 住民 to describe someone who is just visiting. As mentioned before, 住民 implies a permanent or long-term dwelling. If you are describing people at a park or a festival, and they are not necessarily from that area, use 来場者 (raijōsha - attendees) or 人々 (hitobito - people). Calling them 住民 would imply they all live in the immediate vicinity. Similarly, avoid using 住民 for animals. While in English we might say 'the inhabitants of the forest' to refer to deer and bears, in Japanese, 住民 is reserved for humans. For animals, use 生息する動物 (seisoku suru dōbutsu - animals that inhabit).

Mistake: Using for Animals: In Japanese, 'mori no jūmin' (residents of the forest) sounds like a fairy tale where animals talk and live in houses. For real animals, use 'seisoku'.

この公園には多くの人々が来ます。(Kono kōen ni wa ōku no hitobito ga kimasu.) - Many people come to this park. (Better than using 住民 unless they live in the park!)

Finally, be careful with the plural form. In English, we almost always use 'residents' (plural) when talking about a group. In Japanese, 住民 can be either singular or plural depending on the context. While you can add ~たち (~tachi) to make it 住民たち (jūmin-tachi), it is often unnecessary because the word itself already carries a collective nuance. Overusing ~たち can sometimes make the sentence feel slightly redundant or overly colloquial in a formal setting. Trust the context to convey the plurality.

住民の意見をまとめました。(Jūmin no iken o matomemashita.) - I summarized the residents' opinions. (The plural is implied.)

マンションの住民はゴミのルールを守っています。(Manshon no jūmin wa gomi no rūru o mamotte imasu.) - The residents of the apartment follow the garbage rules.

To truly master 住民, you should understand how it sits within a family of related terms. The most direct comparison is with 居住者 (kyojūsha). While 住民 is the standard word for 'resident,' 居住者 is even more formal and technical. You will see 居住者 in legal contracts, insurance documents, and high-level architectural reports. If 住民 is 'resident,' 居住者 is 'occupant' or 'dweller' in a strictly legal sense. For a beginner or intermediate student, 住民 is much more common and versatile for daily life.

住民 vs. 居住者: 住民 (Jūmin): Standard, administrative, community-focused.
居住者 (Kyojūsha): Highly formal, technical, legalistic.

建物の居住者リストを確認する。(Tatemono no kyojūsha risuto o kakunin suru.) - Checking the occupant list of the building.

We have already touched on 住人 (jūnin), but it's worth exploring the 'vibe' difference. 住人 often appears in literature or when describing the 'character' of a place. It feels more intimate. For instance, if you're writing a story about a haunted house, the people living there are its 住人. If you're writing a news report about the same house being demolished, the people living there are the 住民. One focuses on the life within the walls (住人), and the other focuses on the status within the community (住民).

住民 vs. 住人: 住民 (Jūmin): Official, collective, municipal.
住人 (Jūnin): Individual, descriptive, sometimes literary.

この古い屋敷の住人は謎に包まれている。(Kono furui yashiki no jūnin wa nazo ni tsutsumarete iru.) - The inhabitant of this old mansion is shrouded in mystery.

Another set of alternatives includes 市民 (shimin), 町民 (chōmin), and 国民 (kokumin). These all use the same 民 (min) kanji but vary by the size of the administrative unit. 市民 is for cities, 町民 for towns, and 国民 for the whole nation. 住民 is the 'umbrella term' that can cover any of these. If you are unsure whether a place is officially a city or a town, using 住民 is always safe. However, in local politics, people often take pride in being a 市民 or 町民. For example, a local festival might be described as a 'festival for all townspeople' (町民のためのお祭り - chōmin no tame no omatsuri).

The 'Min' Family: 国民 (Kokumin): National.
市民 (Shimin): City resident.
町民 (Chōmin): Town resident.
村民 (Sonmin): Village resident.

すべての国民が選挙に行くべきだ。(Subete no kokumin ga senkyo ni iku beki da.) - Every national/citizen should go to vote.

Finally, for a more casual way to say 'the people here,' you can use 地元の人 (jimoto no hito). This literally means 'local people' and is used in conversation when you want to sound friendly and informal. For example, if you are traveling and want to ask where the best ramen is, you might ask, 地元の人に聞きましょう (Jimoto no hito ni kikimashō - Let's ask a local). While 住民 is perfect for a town meeting, 地元の人 is perfect for a chat at a bar or a casual travel blog. Understanding these layers of formality allows you to choose the word that best fits your social situation.

地元の人しか知らない秘密の場所だ。(Jimoto no hito shika shiranai himitsu no basho da.) - It is a secret place that only locals know.

地域の住民と協力して公園を掃除した。(Chiiki no jūmin to kyōryoku shite kōen o sōji shita.) - We cooperated with the local residents to clean the park.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The kanji '民' (min) originally depicted a person whose eye had been pierced, representing a slave or a subject. Over centuries, it evolved to mean 'the people' or 'citizens' in a democratic sense.

Pronunciation Guide

UK dʒuːmɪn

US dʒuːmɪn

The pitch accent is 'Heiban' (Flat), meaning the pitch stays relatively level after an initial rise.

Rhymes With

Gūmin (愚民 - ignorant people) Yūmin (遊民 - idlers) Ryūmin (流民 - refugees/displaced people) Shūmin (就眠 - going to sleep) Kyūmin (休眠 - dormancy) Nanmin (難民 - refugee) Shimin (市民 - citizen) Kokumin (国民 - national)

Common Errors

Pronouncing it as 'jumin' with a short 'u' (like 'jump'). It must be 'jūmin'.
Confusing the 'n' sound at the end with an 'm' sound.
Applying English stress to the first syllable instead of keeping the Japanese flat pitch.
Misreading the kanji as 'sumin'.
Mixing it up with 'junin' which has a different vowel length and kanji.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

The kanji are common but the 'jū' long vowel can be tricky for beginners.

Writing 3/5

Kanji for 'min' (民) has a specific stroke order that needs practice.

Speaking 1/5

Easy to pronounce once you master the long 'u'.

Listening 2/5

Can be confused with 'jūnin' if not listening carefully.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

住む (sumu) 人 (hito) 町 (machi) 家 (ie) 私 (watashi)

Learn Next

市民 (shimin) 国民 (kokumin) 住所 (jūsho) 住宅 (jūtaku) 近所 (kinjo)

Advanced

居住者 (kyojūsha) 住民基本台帳 (jūmin kihon daichō) 住民自治 (jūmin jichi) 定住 (teijū) 移住 (ijū)

Grammar to Know

Noun + の + Noun

町の住民 (Residents of the town)

Existence Verb (Imasu)

住民がいます (There are residents)

Counter for People (~nin)

住民が百人います (There are 100 residents)

Particle 'to' (with)

住民と話す (Talk with residents)

Must-form (Nakereba narimasen)

住民税を払わなければなりません (Must pay resident tax)

Examples by Level

私はこの町の住民です。

I am a resident of this town.

Simple A is B structure (Watashi wa ... desu).

住民はみんな親切です。

All the residents are kind.

Using 'minna' (everyone) to describe the group.

あのアパートの住民に会いました。

I met a resident of that apartment.

Location + no + jūmin.

住民の声を聞きます。

I listen to the residents' voices.

Possessive 'no' linking residents and voices.

この島の住民は少ないです。

There are few residents on this island.

Adjective 'sukunai' (few/little) describing the noun.

新しい住民が来ました。

A new resident has come.

Adjective 'atarashii' (new) modifying the noun.

住民はどこにいますか？

Where are the residents?

Question word 'doko' (where) with existence verb 'imasu'.

住民の会議があります。

There is a residents' meeting.

Noun + no + noun structure.

区役所で住民登録をしました。

I did my resident registration at the ward office.

Compound noun 'jūmin tōroku'.

住民票を一枚ください。

Please give me one copy of my residence certificate.

Using the counter '~mai' for flat objects.

マンションの住民に挨拶をしました。

I greeted the residents of the apartment.

Polite past tense 'shimashita'.

住民税を払わなければなりません。

I must pay the resident tax.

Must-form '~nakereba narimasen'.

地域の住民と掃除をしました。

I cleaned with the local residents.

Particle 'to' meaning 'with'.

住民のための公園を作ります。

We will build a park for the residents.

Phrase '~no tame no' (for the sake of).

掲示板に住民へのお知らせがあります。

There is a notice for residents on the bulletin board.

Particle 'e' (to/for) used with 'no'.

住民はゴミのルールを守ります。

The residents follow the garbage rules.

Verb 'mamoru' (to follow/protect/keep).

住民の反対で工事が止まりました。

The construction stopped due to the residents' opposition.

Particle 'de' indicating reason or cause.

この町は住民の半分以上が外国人です。

More than half of the residents in this town are foreigners.

Using 'hanbun ijō' (more than half).

住民の意見をアンケートで集めました。

We collected residents' opinions through a survey.

Particle 'de' indicating means or method.

行政は住民の不満を解消すべきだ。

The administration should resolve the residents' dissatisfaction.

Ending with 'beki da' (should).

災害時には住民同士の助け合いが必要です。

Mutual help among residents is necessary during a disaster.

Using 'dōshi' (among/between) and 'tasukeai' (mutual help).

住民説明会には多くの人が集まった。

Many people gathered at the residents' explanatory meeting.

Compound noun 'jūmin setsumeikai'.

住民の高齢化が深刻な問題になっています。

The aging of the residents is becoming a serious problem.

Noun 'kōreika' (aging) as the subject.

新しい施設は住民の利便性を高めるでしょう。

The new facility will probably increase the residents' convenience.

Ending with 'deshō' (probably/likely).

住民運動が実を結び、公園が守られた。

The residents' movement bore fruit, and the park was saved.

Idiom 'mi o musubu' (bear fruit) and passive 'mamorareta'.

住民票の写しを提出してください。

Please submit a copy of your residence certificate.

Formal request 'teishutsu shite kudasai'.

住民のプライバシーに配慮する必要があります。

It is necessary to consider the residents' privacy.

Verb 'hairyo suru' (to consider/take into account).

周辺住民への騒音被害が報告されている。

Noise damage to surrounding residents has been reported.

Compound 'shūhen jūmin' and passive 'hōkoku sarete iru'.

住民基本台帳に基づいて統計を作成する。

Create statistics based on the Basic Resident Ledger.

Grammar point '~ni motozuite' (based on).

住民の合意を得るのは容易ではない。

It is not easy to obtain the residents' consensus.

Noun 'gōi' (consensus/agreement).

住民税の減税措置が検討されている。

Tax reduction measures for resident tax are being considered.

Noun 'genzei sōchi' (tax reduction measures).

避難指示が出され、住民は速やかに移動した。

An evacuation order was issued, and residents moved promptly.

Adverb 'sumiyaka ni' (promptly/quickly).

住民自治の理念をいかに実現するかが課題だ。

The challenge is how to realize the ideal of resident autonomy.

Noun 'rinen' (ideal/philosophy) and question 'ikani' (how).

新旧住民の摩擦を解消するための対話が必要だ。

Dialogue is needed to resolve friction between new and old residents.

Compound 'shinkyū-jūmin' (new and old residents).

住民訴訟は、行政の不当な支出を正す手段である。

A residents' lawsuit is a means to correct the administration's unjust spending.

Noun 'shudan' (means/method).

地域社会における住民の役割が再定義されている。

The role of residents in local society is being redefined.

Passive verb 'saiteigi sarete iru'.

住民投票の結果、計画の白紙撤回が決まった。

As a result of the residents' vote, the plan was scrapped.

Idiom 'hakushi tekkai' (scrapping a plan/starting from scratch).

外国人住民の権利保障をめぐる議論が続いている。

Discussions regarding the guarantee of rights for foreign residents continue.

Grammar point '~o meguru' (surrounding/regarding).

住民の帰還を促すためのインフラ整備が進む。

Infrastructure development to encourage the return of residents is progressing.

Verb 'unagasu' (to encourage/prompt).

住民意識の変容が都市開発に影響を与えている。

Changes in resident consciousness are influencing urban development.

Noun 'hen-yō' (transformation/change).

住民基本台帳法に基づく厳格な個人情報管理が求められる。

Strict management of personal information based on the Basic Resident Ledger Act is required.

Legal term 'jūmin kihon daichō hō'.

住民の総意を集約し、政策に反映させるプロセスを精査する。

Scrutinize the process of aggregating the collective will of residents and reflecting it in policy.

Verb 'seisa suru' (to scrutinize).

過疎化に直面する地域では、住民による自助努力が限界に達している。

In areas facing depopulation, self-help efforts by residents have reached their limits.

Noun 'jijo doryoku' (self-help efforts).

住民の居住実態を把握するための悉皆調査が実施された。

A comprehensive survey was conducted to understand the actual living conditions of residents.

Technical term 'shikkai chōsa' (comprehensive/census survey).

住民訴訟における原告適格の範囲が法的に争点となっている。

The scope of standing to sue in residents' lawsuits is a legal point of contention.

Legal term 'genkoku tekikaku' (standing to sue/plaintiff eligibility).

住民の福利厚生の増進は、地方公共団体の本来の責務である。

The promotion of residents' welfare is the inherent duty of local public entities.

Formal noun 'sekimu' (duty/responsibility).

都市再生計画において、既存住民の生活圏の維持が喫緊の課題だ。

In urban renewal plans, maintaining the living sphere of existing residents is an urgent issue.

Adjective 'kikkin' (urgent/pressing).

住民の合意形成プロセスにおける透明性の確保が不可欠である。

Ensuring transparency in the consensus-building process among residents is indispensable.

Formal phrase 'fukakesu' (indispensable).

Synonyms

住人居住者市民町民国民

Antonyms

訪問者余所者旅行者

Common Collocations

住民登録

住民税

住民票

周辺住民

住民運動

住民説明会

全住民

外国人住民

住民同士

住民不在

Common Phrases

住民の足

— Refers to the means of transportation (like local buses) that residents rely on.

このバスは住民の足として欠かせない。

住民の憩いの場

— A place where residents go to relax, like a park or community center.

この公園は住民の憩いの場だ。

住民の声

— The collective opinions or complaints of the local people.

行政は住民の声に耳を傾けるべきだ。

住民パワー

— The influence or strength of a collective group of residents.

住民パワーで公園の閉鎖を止めた。

住民の目

— The watchful gaze of the community, often used regarding safety or crime prevention.

住民の目があるから、この町は安全だ。

住民の合意

— A consensus reached by the people living in an area.

計画の実行には住民の合意が必要だ。

住民の不安

— The anxiety or worry felt by the local community.

事件のあと、住民の不安が広がった。

住民の利便性

— The convenience or ease of life for the residents.

新しいスーパーは住民の利便性を高める。

住民の健康

— The physical or mental well-being of the inhabitants.

住民の健康を守るための施策。

住民の理解

— The understanding or acceptance from the residents.

プロジェクトには住民の理解が不可欠だ。

Often Confused With

住民 vs 住人 (jūnin)

Jūnin is more personal and refers to an individual occupant. Jūmin is more official and collective.

住民 vs 市民 (shimin)

Shimin is specifically for city dwellers. Jūmin is the general term for any resident.

住民 vs 人々 (hitobito)

Hitobito is just 'people'. Jūmin implies they officially live in that specific area.

Idioms & Expressions

"住民不在"

— Describes a situation where decisions are made without considering the people affected.

住民不在の都市開発は成功しない。

Formal

"住民の目をごまかす"

— To deceive the local residents or hide something from them.

住民の目をごまかして工事を強行した。

Neutral

"住民を味方につける"

— To get the residents on one's side or gain their support.

選挙に勝つために住民を味方につけた。

Neutral

"住民に寄り添う"

— To stay close to the residents' needs and feelings; to support them empathically.

市長は住民に寄り添う政治を約束した。

Polite

"住民に根ざした"

— Rooted in the community; based on the actual lives of the residents.

住民に根ざした活動を続けている。

Neutral

"住民の手で"

— Done by the residents themselves, rather than by the government or outsiders.

公園は住民の手で守られている。

Neutral

"住民一丸となって"

— With all residents united as one.

住民一丸となって震災を乗り越えた。

Formal

"住民の腹を探る"

— To try to find out what the residents are really thinking (often with a hint of suspicion).

記者は住民の腹を探ろうとした。

Neutral

"住民の顔色をうかがう"

— To be overly concerned with the residents' reactions or moods.

役所は住民の顔色をうかがってばかりだ。

Neutral

"住民の期待を背負う"

— To carry the expectations of the residents on one's shoulders.

彼は住民の期待を背負って立候補した。

Polite

Easily Confused

住民 vs 居住者 (kyojūsha)

Both mean resident.

Kyojūsha is a technical legal term used in contracts. Jūmin is used in daily life and general administration.

賃貸契約書の居住者欄に名前を書く。

住民 vs 在住者 (zaijūsha)

Both refer to people living somewhere.

Zaijūsha is often used for larger scales like 'residents of Japan' (Nihon zaijūsha) in surveys or marketing.

海外在住者のためのニュース。

住民 vs 定住者 (teijūsha)

Both refer to people living somewhere.

Teijūsha emphasizes 'settling down' or having a permanent visa status in Japan.

彼はこの村の定住者になった。

住民 vs 宿泊客 (shukuhakukyaku)

They are people staying at a place.

Shukuhakukyaku are temporary guests (hotels). Jūmin live there long-term.

ホテルの宿泊客に朝食を出す。

住民 vs 国民 (kokumin)

Both refer to a group of people.

Kokumin means 'national' or 'citizen of a country'. Jūmin is about local residency.

国民全員に10万円を配る。

Sentence Patterns

[Place] の住民です。

東京の住民です。

住民に [Action] をします。

住民に挨拶をします。

住民の [Noun] が問題です。

住民の高齢化が問題です。

住民の [Abstract Noun] を守る。

住民のプライバシーを守る。

住民の [Noun] に基づく [Noun]。

住民の意向に基づく開発。

住民の [Complex Noun] を精査する。

住民の合意形成プロセスを精査する。

住民は [Adjective] です。

住民は親切です。

住民のための [Noun] です。

住民のための公園です。

Word Family

Nouns

住民票 (jūminhyō - residence certificate)

住民税 (jūminzei - resident tax)

住民登録 (jūmin tōroku - resident registration)

住民運動 (jūmin undō - residents' movement)

Verbs

住む (sumu - to live/dwell)

住まわせる (sumawaseru - to let someone live somewhere)

Adjectives

住みよい (sumiyoi - good to live in)

住み慣れた (suminareta - accustomed to living in)

住宅 (jūtaku - housing)

住所 (jūsho - address)

居住 (kyojū - residence)

民主主義 (minshu-shugi - democracy)

民族 (minzoku - ethnic group)

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in daily life, administration, and media.

Common Mistakes

Using 'jumin' (short u). → 住民 (jūmin - long u).
Shortening the 'u' changes the word's rhythm and can make it harder for natives to recognize.
Using 'jūmin' for a single mysterious neighbor. → 住人 (jūnin).
While 'jūmin' isn't grammatically wrong for one person, 'jūnin' is much more natural for describing specific individuals in a house.
Using 'shimin' for residents of a small village. → 住民 (jūmin) or 村民 (sonmin).
'Shimin' specifically means 'city dweller.' Using it for a village is factually incorrect in Japanese.
Using 'jūmin' to describe tourists in a city. → 観光客 (kankōkyaku).
'Jūmin' implies permanent residence. Tourists are just visiting and are never called 'jūmin'.
Writing the kanji 民 with an extra stroke. → 民 (5 strokes).
Many learners accidentally add an extra dot or line to '民'. Follow the stroke order carefully.

Tips

Placement

Always place the location before 'no' when specifying where the residents are from: [Location] + の + 住民.

Registration

Remember that becoming a 'jūmin' in Japan requires a trip to the ward office for registration. It's a key part of moving.

Vowel Length

The 'ū' is long. If you shorten it, you might be misunderstood. Think of the 'oo' in 'food'.

Compounds

Learn 'jūminhyō' and 'jūminzei' together. They are the most common compound words you'll encounter.

Community

When you hear 'jūmin,' think of 'community responsibility.' It's often used in the context of helping neighbors.

News Context

In news about disasters, 'jūmin' is the standard word used for the people affected in the area.

Kanji Meaning

Remember the kanji: 住 (live) + 民 (people). This makes the meaning 'people who live (there)' easy to remember.

Jūmin vs Shimin

Use 'jūmin' as your safe, general word. Use 'shimin' only if you are 100% sure you are in a 'City' (Shi).

Not for Visitors

Never use 'jūmin' for tourists. It's for people who have their 'roots' in the location.

Ward Office

Look for the sign '住民課' (Residents' Division) when you visit any local government office.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Jewel' (Jū) and 'Mint' (Min). The **residents** keep their **Jewels** in a **Mint** condition house.

Visual Association

Imagine a group of people standing in front of their houses, each holding a 'Resident ID' card. The card has the kanji 住民 written on it.

Word Web

住む (Live) 家 (House) 町 (Town) 税金 (Tax) 登録 (Register) 人々 (People) 市民 (Citizen) 近所 (Neighbor)

Challenge

Try to find the word '住民' on any official Japanese website (like a city hall's homepage). Notice how many times it appears!

Word Origin

Borrowed from Classical Chinese. The term combines '住' (to live/dwell) and '民' (people/subjects). It was historically used to distinguish the settled populace from travelers or the ruling class.

Original meaning: The people who dwell in a specific territory under a jurisdiction.

Sino-Japanese (Kango)

Cultural Context

Be careful when discussing 'foreign residents' (gaikokujin jūmin). While it's a standard term, in some contexts, emphasizing the 'foreign' part can feel exclusionary. Using 'chiiki no jūmin' (residents of the area) is more inclusive.

In English, we might use 'local' or 'citizen' loosely. In Japan, 'jūmin' is the precise middle ground—more official than 'local' but broader than 'citizen'.

住民基本台帳法 (The Basic Resident Ledger Act - a major Japanese law). 住民の友 (Jūmin no Tomo - a common title for local community newsletters). 映画『住民』 (There are various documentaries and indie films focusing on local resident struggles in Japan).

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

City Hall / Ward Office

住民票をください
住民登録をしたいです
住民税の窓口はどこですか
新しい住民です

Apartment Living

住民の皆様へ
住民会議があります
住民同士のトラブル
マンションの住民

Local News / Disasters

住民は避難してください
住民の不安が広がっています
住民のインタビュー
周辺住民への影響

Social Studies / Geography

住民の数
住民の高齢化
住民の分布
外国人住民の割合

Neighborhood Associations

住民が協力して
住民のお祭り
住民の声を聞く
住民参加のイベント

Conversation Starters

"このマンションの住民はどんな人が多いですか？ (What kind of people are most of the residents in this apartment?)"

"住民登録はもう終わりましたか？ (Have you finished your resident registration yet?)"

"住民税って、結構高いですよね。 (Resident tax is quite expensive, isn't it?)"

"近所の住民と交流はありますか？ (Do you have any interaction with the local residents?)"

"住民説明会に行ったことがありますか？ (Have you ever been to a residents' explanatory meeting?)"

Journal Prompts

今日の住民会議で話し合われたことを書きましょう。 (Write about what was discussed at today's residents' meeting.)

新しい町の住民になって感じたことを書きましょう。 (Write about your feelings after becoming a resident of a new town.)

地域の住民として、自分ができることは何ですか？ (As a local resident, what can you do for the community?)

住民税の通知を見て思ったことを書きましょう。 (Write about what you thought when you saw your resident tax notice.)

理想的な住民同士の関係について考えを書きましょう。 (Write your thoughts on the ideal relationship between residents.)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, but it sounds a bit formal. Saying 'Kono machi ni sunde imasu' (I live in this town) is more natural in casual conversation. Use '住民' if you are filling out a form or talking about your rights as a resident.

Think of '住民' as 'Resident' (official) and '住人' as 'Inhabitant' (descriptive). You use '住民' for city hall matters and '住人' to describe the person living in a specific house. For example, 'The residents (住民) of this town want a park' vs 'The inhabitant (住人) of that house is strange'.

No, anyone who is officially registered as living in a Japanese municipality is a '住民,' including foreign nationals. There is even a specific term '外国人住民' (gaikokujin jūmin) for foreign residents.

Because you are paying '住民税' (jūminzei), which is a tax paid to the local government where you reside. It is the 'price' of being a resident and receiving local services.

Generally, no. For animals, you should use 'seisoku suru dōbutsu' (animals that inhabit). 'Mori no jūmin' sounds like a storybook or a metaphor where animals are personified.

It is a neutral, formal word. To be extra polite when addressing them, you should say '住民の皆様' (jūmin no minasama).

You can say 'zen-jūmin' (全住民) or 'jūmin全員' (jūmin zen-in). Both are commonly used in announcements.

It is an official 'Certificate of Residence.' In Japan, this document is vital for proving your address when you do things like buy a car or open a bank account.

No. People in a hotel are 'kyaku' (guests) or 'shukuhakukyaku' (lodgers). '住民' implies a permanent or long-term home.

Use the counter for people: 'hitori', 'futari', 'sannin', etc. For example, 'hyaku-nin no jūmin' (100 residents).