Translation guide
The English word 'people' can refer to human beings in general, a specific group, or a nation. Japanese uses different words depending on the context, and often the most natural translation is to omit the word entirely when the meaning is clear.
Referring to people as a species or general concept, often in statements about society or human nature.
The most common and neutral word for 'person' or 'people'. It can be used in general statements.
All people make mistakes.
多くの人がその映画を見た。
Many people saw that movie.
Explicitly plural 'people', often used in formal or written contexts. Less common in casual speech.
人々の生活を守る。
Protect people's livelihoods.
Refers to humanity as a whole, often in scientific or philosophical contexts.
人類の歴史は長い。
The history of humankind is long.
Referring to a particular set of people, such as those in a room, a team, or a category.
Attach to a descriptor to mean 'those people'. For example, 'young people' is 若い人たち.
あの人たちは誰ですか。
Who are those people?
若い人たちに人気がある。
It's popular among young people.
Polite plural for 'people', used when referring to others respectfully.
Informal, sometimes derogatory term for a group of people. Use with caution.
Referring to the people of a country or a cultural group.
The people of a nation, often used in political or formal contexts.
日本国民の権利
The rights of the Japanese people
Ethnic group or people, emphasizing shared culture and heritage.
Often used in political contexts, like 'the people' in communist or democratic rhetoric.
In Japanese, 'people' is often left out when it's obvious from context, especially in general statements.
Japanese frequently drops subjects. Instead of saying 'people say...', you can just say the verb phrase.
よく言うよね。
People often say that, don't they?
ここでは英語が通じない。
People don't understand English here.
English uses 'people' in many set phrases where Japanese uses a different structure. For example, 'people say' is often just 「と言われている」 (it is said). Translating 'people' as 人 every time can sound unnatural.
人 can be singular or plural depending on context. 人々 explicitly means multiple people, but it's more formal and less common in everyday speech. Use 人 for general statements unless you need to emphasize plurality.
来てくださった方々に感謝します。
I'm grateful to the people who came.
あの連中はいつも遅刻する。
Those people are always late.
少数民族の文化を守る。
Preserve the culture of minority peoples.
人民のための政治
Government for the people