民たみ草くさ

also: たみぐさ

た

み

く

さ

Meanings

A somewhat literary or formal term for the common people, often used in historical or rhetorical contexts. Not an everyday word for 'people'.

民たみ草くさの声こえを聞きくことが政せい治じの基き本ほんだ。
Listening to the voice of the people is the foundation of politics.
歴れき史し書しょには、民たみ草くさの暮くらしが詳くわしく記しるされている。
The lives of the common people are described in detail in the history book.

Kanji

民people, nation, subjects
草grass, weeds, herbs

Related words

人じん民みん
人民 is a more neutral and common term for 'the people', often used in political or social contexts. 民草 has a more literary, historical, or poetic feel.
庶しょ民みん
庶民 refers to the common people or masses in a more everyday sense, while 民草 carries a slightly archaic or elevated tone.

Built from

民たみ+草くさ

Written forms

民草Usage92%
- たみくさ
  Standard kanji spelling; the reading たみくさ is the most common.
- たみぐさ
  Alternate reading; less common than たみくさ.
たみぐさUsage8%

Etymology

Compound of 民 (tami, 'people') and 草 (kusa, 'grass'), metaphorically likening the common people to grass. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the image is of the populace as numerous and humble, like blades of grass.