民 means “people, citizens”

たみ · tami

Also: nation, subjects

Kun'yomi (Japanese reading)

たみ

On'yomi (Chinese reading)

ミン

JLPT N4 · Taught in grade 4 · 5 strokes

The story

An eye (目) pierced by a needle: in ancient times, slaves were blinded in one eye. The character evolved to mean "the common people," a reminder that civilization is built on the labor of ordinary 民.

Used in 国民 (kokumin, citizens) and 民主 (minshu, democracy)

More from Society & Government

• 族 tribe
• 都 capital
• 市 city
• 町 town
• 村 village
• 会 meeting
• 社 company
• 官 government official
• 軍 army
• 公 public
• 私 private
• 世 world

Learn 民 and more kanji free on Fuji Learning · All kanji

Readings from KANJIDIC2, © EDRDG, CC BY-SA.