Translation and Meaning of: 衆 - shuu

The Japanese word 衆[しゅう] is a fascinating term that appears in formal and everyday contexts, often associated with groups of people or collectives. If you are studying Japanese or simply interested in the language, understanding its meaning, origin, and usage can enrich your vocabulary. In this article, we will explore everything from the writing of the kanji to practical examples of how this word is used in Japan. Suki Nihongo, the best online Japanese dictionary, provides detailed information for those who want to learn accurately.

Meaning and Use of 衆[しゅう]

The term 衆 [しゅう] means "crowd," "group," or "public," used to refer to a set of people. Unlike words like 人々 [ひとびと] (people in general), 衆 carries a more formal tone and can appear in historical or political contexts. For example, in discussions about society or legislation, it is common to find expressions like 大衆 [たいしゅう] (mass, general public).

In everyday life, the use of 衆 is less frequent than other words for "group," like グループ[ぐるーぷ], but it still appears in specific terms. One example is 観衆[かんしゅう], which means "audience" or "spectators." If you watch Japanese events or news programs, you may come across this word describing an audience present at shows or competitions.

Origin and Kanji of 衆

The kanji 衆 is composed of three elements: 血 (blood), 儿 (people), and 罒 (net). This combination suggests the idea of interconnected people, forming a community. Historically, the character emerged in ancient China and was incorporated into Japanese with the same meaning of "group" or "assembly." The reading しゅう (shū) is one of the most common, but the kanji can also be read as シュウ in compounds.

It is worth noting that 衆 is not one of the most frequently used kanji in daily life, but it appears in important terms. For example, 衆議院[しゅうぎいん] refers to the House of Representatives of Japan, showing how the word is connected to social and political structures. Its main radical is 血, which reinforces the notion of connection between individuals.

Tips for Memorizing 衆

An effective way to remember the kanji 衆 is to associate its visual structure with the idea of "many people gathered together." The three lower strokes (儿) represent individuals, while the upper part (罒) can be seen as a network connecting them. This mental image helps solidify the meaning of "crowd" or "group."

Another tip is to practice with compound words that use 衆, such as 群衆[ぐんしゅう] (crowd) or 民衆[みんしゅう] (population). By encountering these terms in news or texts, it becomes easier to absorb the context in which 衆 appears. Writing down sentences with these expressions in Anki or flashcards can also be helpful to reinforce learning.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 多数 (Taasu) - A large number, many things or people, usually in a more formal context.
• 大勢 (Oozei) - A large number of people, often used to describe a crowd or a group of people.
• 群衆 (Gunshuu) - A crowd; it refers to a group of people who are gathered, often in a bustling situation.
• 人々 (Hitobito) - People in general, emphasizing individuality within a group.
• 人数 (Ninzuu) - Count or number of people in a certain group or situation.

衆

Romaji: shuu
Kana: しゅう
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: pastas; great number; people

Meaning in English: masses;great number;the people

Definition: "It seems like a lot of people are gathering.”

Example Sentences - (衆) shuu

See below some example sentences:

観衆が大勢集まった。

Kanshū ga taisei atsumatta

The crowd gathered in large numbers.

Many people gathered.

• 観衆 - Audience, spectators
• が - Particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 大勢 - Large quantity, crowd
• 集まった - Reuniram-se, juntaram-se

衆議院は日本の国会の一つです。

Shugiin wa Nihon no kokkai no hitotsu desu

The House of Representatives is one of the Japanese houses of parliament.

The House of Representatives is one of the Japanese diet.

• 衆議院 - Shugiin (House of Representatives)
• は - Topic particle
• 日本 - Nihon (Japan)
• の - Possession particle
• 国会 - Kokkai (Parliament)
• の - Possession particle
• 一つ - hitotsu (um)
• です - desu (is)

公衆の場でマスクを着用することが大切です。

Koushuu no ba de masuku wo chakuyou suru koto ga taisetsu desu

It is important to wear a mask in public places.

It is important to wear a mask in public.

• 公衆の場 - public place
• で - particle that indicates the location where the action takes place
• マスク - Mask
• を - Particle indicating the direct object of the action.
• 着用する - use, wear
• こと - noun that indicates action or fact
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 大切 - important
• です - verb to be in the polite form

衆の意見を聞くべきだ。

Shuu no iken wo kiku beki da

You must listen to the opinions of the people.

• 衆 - It means "crowd" or "audience"
• の - possessive particle, indicating that the following word belongs to the crowd
• 意見 - means "opinion" or "point of view"
• を - object particle, indicating that the previous word is the object of the action
• 聞く - verb that means "to hear" or "to listen"
• べき - Suffix indicating obligation or duty
• だ - Verb "to be" in the present tense