How to say "people" in Japanese

• 国民こくみんJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounThe word for 'people' as the citizens of a country — a nation viewed as a body of nationals. Use it when 'people' means the populace of a state, not just a number of individuals.
  国民こくみんは歓呼かんこして彼かれを国王こくおうに迎むかえた。↗

  The people acclaimed him King.
• 人々ひとびとCommon
  nounThe general word for people as more than one person: individuals in general. When English 'people' just means several persons, this is the natural choice.
  以前いぜんは、人々ひとびとは歩あるいて旅たびをしたものだった。↗

  People used to travel on foot.
• 方々かたがたJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounThe respectful (sonkeigo) way to refer to people: 'everyone', 'ladies and gentlemen'. Use it to speak politely of other people, as when addressing an audience; it is not a neutral word for people.
  貴社きしゃの社員しゃいんの方々かたがたにお会あいでき、とてもうれしく思おもいました。↗

  It was a great pleasure for me to meet many associates of your company.
• 民たみCommon
  nounPeople viewed as subjects or folk: the populace under a ruler, or the common folk. For plain everyday 'people' this standalone word is seldom the right choice.
• 世間せけんJLPT N3approx.Common
  noun'People' as society or the public: the world of people in general, the surrounding community and its opinions. It does not refer to specific individuals or a counted group.

Use 人々 for people in general, 国民 for the people of a country, 方々 when referring to people respectfully, 世間 for society or the public, and 民, a marginal choice, for folk or subjects.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 国民こくみんpeople (of a country)
• 人々ひとびとpeople
• 方々かたがたpeople
• 民たみpeople
• 世間せけんworld
• 族ぞくtribe
• 民族みんぞくpeople
• 民衆みんしゅうpeople
• ピープルpeople
• 連中れんちゅうcompany
• 人たちひとたちpeople
• 民草たみくさpeople
• 俗衆ぞくしゅうpeople
• ピーポーpeople
• 方たちかたたちpeople
• 蒼生そうせいthe masses
• 世間様せけんさまworld
• 常民じょうみん(common) people
• 衆しゅうpeople
• ひとhuman beings
• 人じんman
• 人士じんしpeople
• 者どもものどもpeople
• 生き霊いきりょうmankind