Japanese word

一般

Pronunciation

Romajiippan

Meaning

  • noungeneral

Example

これは一般の人が使います。ko re wa ip pan no hito ga tsuka i ma su

The general public uses this.

Illustration for 一般 (general)

More examples

そのサービスは一般に公開されています。so no sā bi su wa ip pan ni kō kai sa re te i ma su

The service is open to the public.

Core concept

Covers ordinary people or things as a whole, without focusing on a special member or category.

Common phrases

  • 一般にip pan ni

    generally

  • 一般向けip pan mu ke

    for the general public

  • 一般の人ip pan no hito

    ordinary people

Similar words

大衆taishū: The many ordinary people in society, especially as a social group.
公衆kōshū: People who use or gather in places and services open to everyone.
世間seken: The wider society and the people whose views affect social life.

Definition in Japanese

特別な立場や条件にない、広く世間の人々やもの。toku betsu na tachi ba ya jō ken ni na i hiro ku se ken no hito bito ya mo no

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese compound 一般 (ippan, "general") combines 一 (ichi, "one") and 般 (han, "kind"), giving the sense of a whole class rather than a special case.

Usage tips

  • Unlike English general, 一般 (ippan) often identifies people who are not specialists or officials, so it can describe the public in contrast with an expert group.

Other meanings

  • publicnoun

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word