Translation guide
The English word 'inhabitant' refers to a person or animal that lives in a particular place. In Japanese, the most common and natural way to express this is with the suffix 〜人 (jin) for people, or words like 住民 (jūmin) for residents of an area. The choice depends on whether you are talking about nationality, city residents, or animals.
To refer to a person who lives in a specific town, city, region, or country.
The most common and neutral word for 'inhabitant' or 'resident' of a town, city, or area. Used in official contexts and everyday speech.
The inhabitants of this town are kind.
Similar to 住民, but often used for inhabitants of a specific building, apartment, or house. Slightly more limited in scope.
A formal term for 'resident' or 'inhabitant', often used in legal or administrative contexts.
To say someone is from a particular country or ethnic group.
The suffix 〜人 (jin) is the standard way to say 'inhabitant' in the sense of nationality or ethnicity. Attach it to the country or region name.
He is a Japanese inhabitant. / He is Japanese.
To refer to animals that inhabit a particular region or environment.
A verb meaning 'to inhabit' (for animals or plants). Often used in the form 〜に生息する (inhabit ~). The noun form is 生息 (seisoku).
To refer to the first or original people of a place.
English 'inhabitant' can sound formal or scientific. In Japanese, 住民 is the everyday word for 'resident', but for people, you often just use 人 (person) or 〜の人 (people of ~). For example, 'the inhabitants of Tokyo' is more naturally 東京の人々 (Tōkyō no hitobito) than 東京の住民, unless you are emphasizing residency status.
住民 (jūmin) is broader and more common for inhabitants of a region, town, or country. 住人 (jūnin) is often used for inhabitants of a specific building or house, like an apartment complex. In many cases, 住民 is the safer choice.
Half of the inhabitants are elderly.
このアパートの住人は静かだ。
The inhabitants of this apartment building are quiet.
この地域の居住者には補助金が出る。
Subsidies are provided to the inhabitants of this area.
Many foreign inhabitants live in this city.
Many animals inhabit this forest.
A kanji variant of 住む (to live) specifically used for animals and insects. Often written in hiragana as すむ.
Rare fish inhabit this river.
Means 'habitat', the place where an animal or plant naturally lives. Used in ecological contexts.
The habitat of that bird is limited.
Means 'indigenous people' or 'native inhabitants'. Used for ethnic groups that originally lived in an area before colonization or migration.
The native inhabitants of Australia are called Aborigines.
Also means 'native inhabitants' or 'aboriginal people'. Slightly more formal or older term than 先住民, but still common.
The native inhabitants of that island have a unique culture.