Translation and Meaning of: 人気 - ninki

The Japanese word 人気[にんき] is a fascinating term that frequently appears in everyday life in Japan, whether in conversations, TV shows, or even song lyrics. If you are studying Japanese or just curious about the language, understanding the meaning and usage of this expression can open doors to better comprehend Japanese culture. In this article, we will explore what 人気 means, its origin, how it is used in daily life, and some interesting facts that make this word so special.

The meaning and origin of 人気

The word 人気 is composed of two kanjis: 人 (person) and 気 (energy, atmosphere). Together, they form a concept that can be translated as "popularity" or "public acceptance." However, its meaning goes beyond that, as it also carries the idea of something or someone that attracts attention and sympathy from people.

Although there are no exact records of when 人気 began to be used in Japan, its structure suggests a connection with collective perception. The kanji 気, in particular, is essential in the Japanese language, appearing in various words that express feelings and mental states. This combination reflects how Japanese society values group opinion and social harmony.

How 人気 is used in everyday life

In Japan, 人気 is a versatile word. It can describe anything from a crowded restaurant to a famous artist. For example, saying that a café is 人気がある means that it is popular and well-frequented. Similarly, an actor or singer can be called 人気者, indicating that they are beloved by the public.

Another interesting use is in rankings and lists. TV shows and magazines often publish "人気ランキング" (popularity rankings) to show which products, places, or celebrities are trending. This type of content is so common that it has become a part of Japanese media culture, reinforcing the importance of the word in everyday life.

Curiosities and tips for memorization

An effective way to remember the meaning of 人気 is to associate the kanjis with their function. 人 represents people, while 気 refers to the energy or atmosphere they create. Together, they form the idea of something that "attracts the energy of people," or in other words, that is popular. This visualization can help students remember the term more easily.

Furthermore, 人気 is a word frequently used in animes and dramas, making it even more relevant for those who consume Japanese media. If you pay attention, you'll notice it appears in contexts such as school competitions, variety shows, and even in discussions about trends. This constant exposure helps to reinforce its meaning naturally.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 人気度 (Ninkido) - Popularity level
• 人気のある (Ninki no aru) - popular
• 人気の高い (Ninki no takai) - Highly popular
• 人気がある (Ninki ga aru) - It has popularity
• ポピュラー (Popyuraa) - popular
• ヒット (Hitto) - Success (hit)
• ブーム (Buumu) - Popularity phase
• トレンド (Torendo) - trend
• 流行 (Ryuukou) - Fashion, what's trending
• 熱 (Netsu) - Passion, fervor (regarding popularity)
• 盛り上がり (Moriagari) - Excitement, agitation (at popular events)
• 需要 (Juyou) - Demand (for something popular)
• 評判 (Hyoubann) - Reputation
• 評価 (Hyouka) - Evaluation (of popularity)
• 注目 (Chuumoku) - Attention (popular)
• 人望 (Ninbou) - Respect, charisma (popular personality)
• 人気者 (Ninkimono) - Popular person
• 人気商品 (Ninki shouhin) - Popular product
• 人気曲 (Ninki kyoku) - Popular music
• 人気アイドル (Ninki aidoru) - Popular idol
• 人気スポーツ (Ninki supōtsu) - Popular sport
• 人気ブランド (Ninki burando) - Popular brand

人気

Romaji: ninki
Kana: にんき
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: popular; business conditions; public sentiment

Meaning in English: popular;business conditions;popular feeling

Definition: Being supported by many people.

Example Sentences - (人気) ninki

See below some example sentences:

このタレントはとても人気があります。

Kono tarento wa totemo ninki ga arimasu

This talent is very popular.

This talent is very popular.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• タレント - noun meaning "artist" or "celebrity"
• は - topic particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 人気 - noun meaning "popularity"
• が - subject particle indicating that "人気" is the subject of the sentence
• あります - verb meaning "to have" or "to exist", in the present tense

この商店はとても人気があります。

Kono shouten wa totemo ninki ga arimasu

This store is very popular.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 商店 - noun meaning "store"
• は - topic particle that indicates that the subject of the sentence is "this store"
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 人気 - noun meaning "popularity"
• が - subject particle indicating that "popularity" is the subject of the sentence
• あります - verb meaning "to exist" or "to have"

この雑誌は創刊から人気がある。

Kono zasshi wa soukan kara ninki ga aru

This magazine has been popular since its launch.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 雑誌 - noun meaning "magazine"
• は - topic particle that indicates that the subject of the sentence is "this magazine"
• 創刊 - noun meaning "release" or "first edition"
• から - particle that indicates the starting point, in this case, "since"
• 人気 - noun meaning "popularity"
• が - subject particle that indicates that "popularity" is the subject of the sentence
• ある - verb meaning "to exist" or "to have"

この商品はとても人気があります。

Kono shouhin wa totemo ninki ga arimasu

This product is very popular.

• この商品 - This Product
• は - Topic particle
• とても - "very"
• 人気 - popularity
• が - subject particle
• あります - exist

人気がある店はいつも混んでいます。

Ninki ga aru mise wa itsumo konde imasu

Popular stores are always crowded.

Popular stores are always crowded.

• 人気がある - popular
• 店 - store
• は - marcador de tópico
• いつも - always
• 混んでいます - crowded

競馬は日本で人気のあるスポーツです。

Keiba wa Nihon de ninki no aru supootsu desu

Horse racing is a popular sport in Japan.

• 競馬 - Horses race
• は - Topic particle
• 日本 - Japan
• で - place particle
• 人気 - Popularity
• の - Possession particle
• ある - Verb "to be" in the present tense
• スポーツ - sport
• です - polite way of "being" in the present