Chinese word

平民

Pronunciation

Pinyinpíng mín

Meaning

  • nounordinary person

Example

他只是个平民，不是名人。tā zhǐ shì gè píng mín bú shì míng rén

He is just an ordinary person, not a celebrity.

Illustration for 平民 (ordinary person)

More examples

这部电影关注平民文化的传承与变化。zhè bù diàn yǐng guān zhù píng mín wén huà de chuán chéng yǔ biàn huà

This film focuses on the continuation and changes of common people's culture.

Core concept

A member of society seen from below the level of power and privilege, with no special public rank.

Common phrases

  • 平民身份píng mín shēn fèn

    commoner status

  • 平民价格píng mín jià gé

    prices for ordinary people

  • 平民文化píng mín wén huà

    common people's culture

Similar words

普通人pǔ tōng rén: A person who is not unusual, famous, or especially noticeable.
老百姓láo bǎi xìng: An informal term for everyday people as a group.
庶民shù mín: The general population viewed as separate from society's upper levels.

Definition in Chinese

指不属于统治阶层或显贵，生活普通的市民或百姓。zhǐ bù shǔ yú tǒng zhì jiē céng huò xiǎn guì shēng huó pǔ tōng de shì mín huò bǎi xìng

Word origin

The compound joins 平 (píng, "level or even") with 民 (mín, "people") to portray the general population as distinct from those with elevated status.

Usage tips

  • The word fits discussions of society, politics, or public figures more naturally than casual remarks about personal identity, where its class contrast can sound marked.

Other meanings

  • civiliannoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 平民化píng mín huàbecome more accessible to ordinary peopleverb
  • 平民阶层píng mín jiē céngcommoner classnoun

Word lists with this word