農民（のうみん、noumin）
- farmer

The Japanese word 農民 （のうみん, *noumin*) means "farmer" or "peasant." It refers to people whose primary occupation is agriculture, cultivating land, and raising crops or livestock. The term encompasses a broad range of agricultural workers, from small-scale family farmers to those working on larger estates. 農民 implies a connection to the land and a way of life centered around farming. This term often carries historical and social connotations, reflecting the importance of agriculture in Japan's past and its ongoing role in rural communities. The term can be used both broadly and specifically, depending on the context.

⚫︎ あの村には多くの農民が住んでいます。 Translation: There are many farmers living in that village. ⚫︎ 昔の日本は農民が社会の基盤でした。 Translation: In old Japan, farmers were the foundation of society. ⚫︎ 彼は農民の生活について研究しています。 Translation: He is researching the life of farmers.

農民 is used to describe individuals or groups involved in farming. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts. When discussing historical periods, the term is particularly common. It's often used when talking about the agricultural sector, rural life, social structures, or the economic impact of farming. When talking with someone, be mindful of the context to avoid misunderstandings, particularly if you are referring to a specific group or time period.

The word 農民 is typically written in kanji as 農民, read as *noumin*. The reading *noumin* is written in hiragana as のうみん. There are no other standard ways to write this word. The okurigana (suffix hiragana) is standard.

⚫︎ 百姓 (hyakushou): This term historically meant farmers but is less commonly used today. ⚫︎ 農業従事者 (nougyou juujisha): Agricultural worker; a more formal and broader term. ⚫︎ 農家 (nouka): A farming household. This focuses on the family unit rather than individuals.

⚫︎ 都市住民 (toshi juumin): City dwellers. ⚫︎ 都会人 (tokaijin): Urbanites, city people.

その地域の農民は、米の収穫量を増やすために新しい技術を導入しました。 ・Translation: The farmers in that region introduced new technologies to increase their rice yield. ・Explanation: This sentence describes farmers using new technology to improve their farming practices.

江戸時代、農民は厳しい年貢制度に苦しめられました。 ・Translation: During the Edo period, farmers suffered under a harsh land tax system. ・Explanation: This sentence discusses the historical context of farmers and their challenges.

The word 農民 is a compound word. 農 (*nou*) means "agriculture," "farming," or "cultivation," and 民 (*min*) means "people" or "the people." Therefore, 農民 literally means "farming people" or "agricultural people." This word reflects the deep connection between the people and the land in Japanese history and society. The combination of these two kanji clearly illustrates the occupation of the people.