Japanese word

人気

Pronunciation

Romajininki

Meaning

  • nounpopularity

Example

この歌手は若い人に人気です。ko no ka shu wa waka i hito ni nin ki de su

This singer is popular with young people.

Illustration for 人気 (popularity)

More examples

店員の親切な対応が人気の理由です。ten in no shin setsu na tai ō ga nin ki no ri yū de su

The staff's friendly service is the reason for the store's popularity.

Core concept

Describes the degree to which many people like, support, or seek someone or something.

Common phrases

  • 人気があるnin ki ga a ru

    be popular

  • 人気が高いnin ki ga taka i

    be highly popular

  • 人気を集めるnin ki o atsu me ru

    gain popularity

  • 人気が出るnin ki ga de ru

    become popular

Similar words

評判hyōban: The opinion that people generally have about someone or something.
好評kōhyō: A favorable opinion or response from many people.
支持shiji: Approval or backing given to a person, group, or idea.

Definition in Japanese

多くの人に好かれ、支持されている度合い。ō ku no hito ni su ka re shi ji sa re te i ru do a i

Word origin

The compound 人気 (ninki, "popularity") combines 人 (nin, "people") and 気 (ki, "feeling"), connecting people's feelings toward something with the favor it receives.

Usage tips

  • Because 人気 (ninki) is a noun, the pattern 人気がある (ninki ga aru) expresses that something has popularity, although English usually uses the adjective "popular".

Other meanings

  • favornoun

Opposites

  • 不人気funinkiunpopularna-adjective

Related words

  • 人気者ninkishapopular personnoun
  • 人気度ninkidodegree of popularitynoun

Word lists with this word