一般人（いっぱんじん、iっpanjiん）
- ordinary person

The Japanese word 一般人 (いっぱんじん) translates to "ordinary person," "common person," or "the general public" in English. It refers to someone who is not considered a specialist, a celebrity, a politician, or otherwise a person of note. It encompasses the majority of the population who live everyday lives. This term emphasizes the contrast between someone who is perceived as "special" or "different" and the 一般人. It's about being "normal" or "average" in terms of status, occupation, or lifestyle.

⚫︎ あの映画は一般人には理解しにくいかもしれません。 Translation: That movie might be difficult for the general public to understand. ⚫︎ 彼はもともと一般人だった。 Translation: He was originally an ordinary person. ⚫︎ テレビは、一般人の生活を描いている。 Translation: Television portrays the lives of ordinary people.

This word is used to differentiate between the average person and someone with a particular expertise, status, or fame. It can be used in various contexts, such as: ⚫︎ When discussing opinions or reactions of the general population. ⚫︎ When referring to someone's background or previous life before they became famous or attained a special position. ⚫︎ In legal or social contexts where the rights and responsibilities of ordinary citizens are being discussed.

一般人 is typically written in kanji and hiragana. ⚫︎ Kanji: 一般人 ⚫︎ Hiragana: いっぱんじん There are no variations in the okurigana for this word.

⚫︎ 普通の人 (ふつうのひと) - Ordinary person ⚫︎ 一般の人々 (いっぱんのひとびと) - The general public ⚫︎ 大衆 (たいしゅう) - The masses, the public ⚫︎ 一般市民 (いっぱんしみん) - Ordinary citizens ⚫︎ 世間 (せけん) - The world; society; the public (although it has more complex connotations)

⚫︎ 専門家 (せんもんか) - Specialist, expert ⚫︎ 有名人 (ゆうめいじん) - Celebrity, famous person ⚫︎ 著名人 (ちょめいじん) - Well-known person, celebrity ⚫︎ 政治家 (せいじか) - Politician ⚫︎ 特別な人 (とくべつなひと) - Special person

あの事件は、一般人に大きな衝撃を与えた。 ・Translation: That incident shocked the general public greatly. ・Explanation: This sentence illustrates how the actions of a person or group can impact the lives and emotions of the 一般人.

彼女は、もともと一般人でしたが、アイドルになりました。 ・Translation: She was originally an ordinary person, but she became an idol. ・Explanation: This sentence shows the contrast between the life of an ordinary person and someone who has achieved fame.

The word 一般人 is composed of two parts: ⚫︎ 一般 (いっぱん) - general, common, ordinary ⚫︎ 人 (じん/ひと) - person, people Therefore, 一般人 literally means "general person" or "common person."