Meaning

Primary

Population

Word Type

noun

Explanation

The amount of people with mouths (that you have to feed) is the population that you have to feed.

Reading

じんこう
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

This is a jukugo word, which usually means on'yomi readings from the kanji. Since has two on'yomi readings, here's a mnemonic to help you remember which one to use:

Here at Tofugu, we measure population in jeans (じん). Each of us has just one pair of jeans, so if you know the jean count you know the population.

Context

Patterns of Use

Common Word Combinations

  • 人口がふえる

    the population increases

    人口がへる

    the population decreases

    人口がおおい

    the population is large

Context Sentences

このエリアの人口は、たったの一人です。

The population of this area is only one person.

こちらの人口はどのくらいですか?

How large is the population around here?

人口の70%くらいはシャイなんだって。

Apparently, about 70% of the population is shy.

Kanji Composition