neutral
common
Usage
Native speakers use '人口' in discussions about demographics, urban planning, and social issues. For instance, during a government meeting about resource allocation, officials might analyze the '人口' to make decisions about infrastructure or healthcare services.
Synonyms & nuances
'人口' is often used in formal contexts, while '居民' (jūmín), meaning 'residents,' emphasizes the people living in a specific area rather than the total number. Choose '人口' when discussing total numbers and broader demographic trends, while '居民' would be preferable in conversations about community or local issues.
Culture
'人口' is composed of two characters: '人' (rén), meaning 'person,' and '口' (kǒu), meaning 'mouth' or 'mouth of a river.' This combination reflects the idea of counting people as essential to survival, similar to how mouths are needed to eat. Historically, population counts have influenced policies and resource distribution in Chinese society, making the term crucial in both government and daily conversations.
FAQ
Q.What does 人口 mean in English?
'人口' translates to 'population' in English. It refers to the number of people living in a particular area, such as a city, country, or the world at large.
Q.How do you use 人口 in a sentence?
You can use '人口' in sentences like '中国的人口很大' (Zhōngguó de rénkǒu hěn dà), which means 'China's population is very large.'
Q.Are there any common mistakes when using 人口?
One common mistake is confusing '人口' with '居民.' Remember that '人口' refers to the total population, while '居民' refers to the residents of a specific area.