• 国民こくみん — nation’s people, citizens
• 市民しみん — citizen (of a city)
• 民族みんぞく — ethnic group
• 農民のうみん — farmer, peasant
• 民話みんわ — folktale
• 民間みんかん — private sector, civilian

The character 民 was originally a pictograph of an eye pierced with a needle — symbolizing blindness. Over time, it came to represent “the common people” — often contrasted with rulers or officials. Today, it appears in many terms related to citizenship and public life.

日本にほんの国民こくみんは選挙せんきょで政府せいふを選えらびます。
The citizens of Japan choose their government through elections.

この地域ちいきには 多おおくの民族みんぞくが暮くらしています。
Many ethnic groups live in this region.

民話みんわには 昔むかしの知恵ちえが込こめられています。
Folktales often contain the wisdom of the past.

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