Translation guide
In Japanese, the concept of 'ordinary people' is expressed through several words and phrases that emphasize being common, average, or part of the general public. The most common term is 一般人, which refers to non-specialists or the general public. Other options include 庶民 for commoners in a social class sense, 普通の人 for a simple 'normal person', and 大衆 for the masses. The choice depends on context: whether you mean non-experts, the working class, or just everyday folks.
Referring to people who are not experts, celebrities, or officials; the average person on the street.
The most common and neutral term for 'ordinary people' as opposed to specialists, celebrities, or those in specific roles. Often used in news and everyday conversation.
このイベントは一般人も参加できます。
This event is open to ordinary people as well.
一般人には理解しにくい専門用語だ。
It's technical jargon that's hard for ordinary people to understand.
A straightforward phrase meaning 'a normal person'. It's casual and commonly used in daily speech to describe someone without special traits.
彼は普通の人とはちょっと違う。
He's a bit different from ordinary people.
Refers to common people or the masses, often with a nuance of social class (as opposed to the elite or nobility). Can sound slightly old-fashioned or formal.
その政策は庶民の生活を圧迫している。
That policy is putting pressure on the lives of ordinary people.
Means 'the masses' or 'the general public', often used in sociological or marketing contexts. Can imply a large, undifferentiated group.
大衆の意見を無視してはいけない。
We must not ignore the opinions of ordinary people.
Emphasizing social status, as opposed to the upper class, nobility, or ruling elite.
The standard term for commoners in a historical or class-conscious sense. Often used when contrasting with the wealthy or powerful.
彼は庶民の出だが、大臣にまで上り詰めた。
He came from ordinary people but rose to become a minister.
Historically used for 'commoner' as opposed to nobility or samurai. Now mostly found in historical contexts or set phrases.
Casual, friendly reference to regular people, often in contrast to authorities or experts.
Plural form of 普通の人, meaning 'ordinary people' in a collective sense. Slightly more formal than the singular version.
普通の人々がこの問題についてどう思っているか知りたい。
I want to know what ordinary people think about this issue.
Similar to 一般人 but slightly softer; literally 'general person'. Used in both formal and informal settings.
一般の人が利用できる施設です。
It's a facility that ordinary people can use.
一般人 is the safest choice for 'ordinary people' in modern contexts, especially when contrasting with experts or officials. 庶民 carries a class nuance and is often used in discussions about social inequality or history. 普通の人 is the most colloquial and simply means 'a normal person' without any special connotation.
The phrase 'ordinary people' can sometimes be translated as 普通の人々, but in many contexts, Japanese prefers a more specific term like 一般人 or 庶民. Using 普通の人々 in formal writing may sound slightly awkward; opt for 一般人 instead.
明治時代以前は、平民と武士の身分差が大きかった。
Before the Meiji era, the status gap between ordinary people and samurai was large.