Definitions
(noun)
people; citizens; inhabitants
Etymology
Pictograph of an eye (目) being poked with something sharp. In ancient China, slaves were sometimes punished by blinding them with a sharp object. Based on the original meaning "slave". The meaning later shifted to "common person".
About
The character 民, meaning "people" or "citizens", originated from a pictograph showing an eye being pierced by a sharp instrument. This early form referred to slaves or captives who were blinded to prevent escape. As social structures evolved, the character's meaning broadened to include commoners and eventually the general populace. In modern usage, it is detached from its origins and forms a key part of terms related to democracy, civil rights, and national demographics.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
我们是中国人民。
农民在田里工作。
市民们热爱这座城市。
民主制度保障公民权利。
少数民族文化丰富多彩。
民生问题是政府的首要任务。
国民素质决定国家未来。
民营企业是市场经济的重要部分。