Definition

1. Noun:

   • People, populace: The collective body of ordinary individuals living in a community, region, or nation.
   • Citizenry, citizens: The general body of inhabitants of a state or country, considered in relation to their government or as a political entity.
   • Civilian: A person who is not a member of the military or police forces.
   • Folk, common people: The ordinary people, as distinguished from the elite or ruling classes.

2. Noun (extended usage):

   • A person from a specific place or group: Used to denote someone belonging to a particular locality, social class, or profession.
   • A follower or enthusiast: Used colloquially to refer to a devoted follower of a particular activity, trend, or figure.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Tiếng nói của dân phải được lắng nghe. (The voice of the people must be heard.)
  • Quyền lợi và nghĩa vụ của dân được hiến pháp bảo vệ. (The rights and duties of citizens are protected by the constitution.)
  • Khu vực này chỉ dành cho dân thường, quân đội không được vào. (This area is for civilians only; the military is not allowed.)
  • Anh ấy là dân Hà Nội gốc. (He is an original Hanoi local.)
  • Cô ấy là dân chuyên toán. (She is a person from a math-specialized class / a math whiz.)

Advanced Usage

• "[Subject] + là dân + [Place/Field]": A common structure to state someone's origin or expertise.
  • Ông ấy là dân miền Tây. (He is from the Western region.)
  • Tôi là dân ngoại đạo, không hiểu về nghệ thuật. (I am a layperson, I don't understand art.)

Variants and Related Words

• Công dân (n): Citizen (emphasizing legal status).
  • Mọi công dân đều bình đẳng trước pháp luật. (All citizens are equal before the law.)
• Nhân dân (n): The people (a more formal and collective term, often used in political contexts).
  • Sức mạnh của nhân dân là vô địch. (The strength of the people is invincible.)
• Dân cư (n): Population, inhabitants.
  • Dân cư ở thành phố này rất đông đúc. (The population of this city is very dense.)
• Dân sự (adj/n): Civil (as in civil law, civilian affairs).
  • Tòa án dân sự. (Civil court.)

Synonyms

• People: A human community.
• Citizens: Members of a state.
• Civilians: Non-military persons.
• Populace: The ordinary people of a country.
• Folk: People in general.

Related Idioms

• Trên thuận dưới hòa / Vua sáng tôi trung, dân hiền: A harmonious relationship between the ruler and the ruled. (When the king is wise and his subjects loyal, the people are virtuous.)
• Dân giàu, nước mạnh: A prosperous people make a strong nation. (A common national aspiration.)
• Phép vua thua lệ làng: The king's law yields to village customs. (Highlights the traditional power of local practices over central decrees.)

noun

1. people; citizen
   • dân quê
     the country people