市民 — meaning in English: Citizen

shimin · Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.

Guess the translation for citizen

子供

kodomo

市民

shimin

参加

sanka

国家

kokka

ストレス

sutoresu

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neutral common

Usage

Native speakers often use the word 市民 (shimin) in discussions about civic duties, government policies, or community events. For instance, during local town hall meetings, citizens might discuss their rights and responsibilities as 市民.

Synonyms & nuances

A close synonym for 市民 (shimin) is 住民 (juumin), which specifically refers to 'residents' or 'inhabitants'. While both terms denote a sense of belonging to a community, 市民 emphasizes active participation and civic identity, making it more relevant in discussions about rights and responsibilities.

Culture

The term 市民 (shimin) has its roots in the Chinese character 市 (shi), meaning 'market' or 'city', and 民 (min), meaning 'people' or 'nation'. Historically, the concept of citizenship in Japan evolved from feudal systems where allegiance was to a lord, to modern democratic ideals where the focus is on community and individual rights as 市民.

FAQ

Q.What does 市民 (shimin) mean in Japanese?

市民 (shimin) translates to 'citizen' in English, referring to a member of a community or nation who enjoys certain rights and fulfills specific duties.

Q.How is 市民 (shimin) used in sentences?

You can use 市民 in sentences like '市民としての責任があります' (Shimin to shite no sekinin ga arimasu), which means 'I have responsibilities as a citizen.'

Q.Are there any common mistakes when using 市民 (shimin)?

A common mistake is confusing 市民 (shimin) with 住民 (juumin). While both refer to people living in a certain area, 市民 carries a connotation of civic engagement, whereas 住民 simply denotes residency.

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