Translation and Meaning of: 人口 - jinkou
The Japanese word 人口[じんこう] is an essential term for anyone studying the language or interested in Japanese culture. Its main meaning is "population," but it carries important nuances in daily life and social discussions. In this article, we will explore everything from the origin of the term to its use in real contexts, including tips for memorization and practical examples. If you are looking to understand how the Japanese view demographic issues or want to expand your vocabulary, you are in the right place.
Meaning and origin of 人口 [じんこう]
The term 人口 consists of two kanji: 人 (person) and 口 (mouth). The combination suggests a literal count of "mouths to feed," reflecting an ancient concept of population measurement. This idea dates back to ancient China, where demographic records were made based on the number of individuals in a family or region.
In Japan, the use of 人口 became established during the Edo period (1603-1868), when the shogunate government began conducting regular censuses. Today, the word frequently appears in news about population aging or demographic growth, showing its continued relevance.
Everyday and cultural use
In everyday conversations, 人口 is more common in formal or statistical contexts. You will find it in reports about the decrease of the rural population or in debates on public policies. A sentence like "日本の人口は減少しています" (The population of Japan is decreasing) illustrates its current usage.
Culturally, the term has gained prominence in recent decades due to the phenomenon of "shoushikika" (population aging). Discussions about 人口密度 (population density) in Tokyo or the economic impact of low birth rates are frequent in the Japanese media, showing how the topic permeates society.
Tips for memorization and curiosities
An effective way to 人口 is to associate the kanjis with their function: 人 (people) + 口 (count). Imagine a census where each "mouth" represents a citizen. This mental image helps to fix the meaning without memorization.
Interestingly, Japan recorded its first population decline in 2005, a fact that turned 人口 into a key term of government policies. Data from the Ministry of Health shows that the country loses about 500,000 inhabitants per year, making the term even more relevant for understanding the current challenges of Japanese society.
Vocabulary
Expand your vocabulary with related words:
Synonyms and similar words
- 人数 (Ninzu) - Number of people; it usually refers to the count of individuals in a group.
- 人員 (Jin'in) - Staff; number of employees or in an organization.
- 住民 (Jūmin) - Residents; people who live in a specific area or community.
- 市民 (Shimin) - Citizens; inhabitants of a city, often with specific rights and duties.
- 国民 (Kokumin) - Citizens of a country; people who possess nationality and constitutional rights.
- 大衆 (Taishū) - Public; refers to the general population or the general public, without distinction of social classes.
- 人類 (Jinrui) - Humanity; it refers to all human beings as a whole, encoming the human species.
Romaji: jinkou
Kana: じんこう
Type: Noun
L: jlpt-n4
Translation / Meaning: 1. population; 2. common conversation
Meaning in English: 1. population; 2. common talk
Definition: The total number of people living in a region or country.
Quick Access
- Vocabulary
- Writing
- Sentences
How to Write in Japanese - (人口) jinkou
See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese. (人口) jinkou:
Example Sentences - (人口) jinkou
See below some example sentences:
Jinkou ga fueru
The population is increasing.
The population increases.
- 人口 - population
- が - subject particle
- 増える - increase
Jinkou ga masu
The population is increasing.
The population increases.
- 人口 - "population" in Japanese.
- が - is a grammatical particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
- 増す - it is a verb that means "to increase" or "to grow".
Jinkou ga fuete iru
The population is increasing.
The population is increasing.
- 人口 - "population" in Japanese.
- が - Grammatical particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
- 増えている - verb "to increase" conjugated in the present continuous, indicating an ongoing action.
Kono chiiki no jinkou bunpu wa kintou de wa arimasen
The population distribution in this region is not uniform.
The population distribution in this area is not equal.
- この - Japanese word meaning "this"
- 地域 - Japanese word meaning "region"
- の - Japanese particle indicating possession or belonging
- 人口 - Japanese word meaning "population"
- 分布 - Japanese word meaning "distribution"
- は - Japanese particle indicating the subject of the sentence
- 均等 - Japanese word meaning "uniform" or "the same"
- で - Japanese particle indicating the means or method
- は - Japanese particle indicating the subject of the sentence
- ありません - Japanese verb meaning "does not exist" or "is not"
Kono chiiki wa misshū shita jinkō mitsudo o motte imasu
This area has a dense population density.
This area has a dense population density.
- この - this
- 地域 - region
- は - is
- 密集した - densely populated
- 人口密度 - population density
- を - of
- 持っています - have
Zouka suru jinkou ga shakai mondai to natte iru
Population increase is becoming a social problem.
The growing population has become a social problem.
- 増加する - increasing
- 人口 - population
- が - (subject particle)
- 社会問題 - social problem
- と - (connection particle)
- なっている - is becoming
Other Words of this Type: Noun
See other words from our dictionary that are also: Noun
