Korean word

서민

Pronunciation

Romanizationseomin

Meaning

  • nounordinary people

Example

그 식당은 서민들이 자주 찾는 곳이다.keu sik ttang eun seo min deu ri cha ju chan neun ko si da

That restaurant is a place that ordinary people often visit.

Illustration for 서민 (ordinary people)

More examples

최근 서민 물가가 많이 올랐다.choe geun seo min mul ga ga ma ni ol lat tta

The cost of living for ordinary people has risen sharply recently.

Core concept

People who live everyday lives without special social power or status.

Common phrases

  • 서민 경제seo min kyeong je

    the common people's economy

  • 서민 물가seo min mul ga

    prices for ordinary people

  • 서민 생활seo min saeng hwal

    the lives of ordinary people

Similar words

보통 사람들potong saramdeul: People who lead everyday lives without notable wealth or influence.
일반인ilbanin: An ordinary member of the public without a special rank, role, or qualification.
서민층seomincheung: A group of people in the lower or middle economic classes.

Definition in Korean

사회에서 특별한 지위나 권력을 가지지 않은, 일상적으로 생활하는 일반 사람들을 이르는 말.sa hoe e seo teuk ppyeol han chi wi na kwol lyeo geul ka ji ji a neun il sang jeo geu ro saeng hwal ha neun il ban sa ram deu reul i reu neun mal

Word origin

서민 (seomin, "ordinary people") is a Sino-Korean compound whose first part means ordinary or many and whose second part means people.

Usage tips

  • In English, working class usually refers to people defined by their jobs or income, while this word can cover ordinary people more broadly.

Other meanings

  • common peoplenoun
  • commonernoun

Opposites

  • 상류층sangnyucheungupper classnoun
  • 부유층puyucheungthe wealthynoun

Related words

  • 서민적seominjeokordinaryadjective
  • 서민층seomincheungordinary peoplenoun

Word lists with this word