also: しょにん
noun
Historical or formal term for ordinary people without rank or title, similar to 庶民 but more classical. Often used in historical contexts or set phrases.
See also: 庶民
江戸時代、庶人は武士と違って苗字帯刀を許されなかった。
In the Edo period, commoners, unlike samurai, were not allowed to have a surname or wear a sword.
「庶人をして三年の喪を行わしむ」という古い言葉がある。
There is an old saying: 'Let the common people observe the three-year mourning period.'
庶民 is the modern, everyday word for 'common people' or 'the masses'. 庶人 is more formal and historical, often used in classical or legal contexts.
From Chinese 庶人 (shùrén), meaning 'commoner' or 'ordinary person'. The reading しょじん is the more common Japanese adaptation; しょにん is a variant.