居民

• Pinyin: jū mín
• Hanzi breakdown: 居 = 尸 (body/dwelling radical) + 古 (ancient, phonetic) — to reside + 民 = pictograph of an eye being pricked, originally 'subject,' now meaning people/citizens

Meaning

Resident; inhabitant. A person who lives in a particular place.

The standard formal term for people who reside in a specific area, neighbourhood, city, or country. Used in official, administrative, and news contexts. Common collocations include 居民区 (residential area), 居民身份证 (resident identity card), and 当地居民 (local residents).

Examples

1. 这个小区的居民大多数是年轻人。 Most of the residents in this neighbourhood are young people.
2. 政府为居民提供了免费的健康检查。 The government provided free health check-ups for residents.
3. 附近居民对噪音问题提出了意见。 Nearby residents raised concerns about the noise problem.

Usage Guide

Context: government, news, urban planning

Tone: informative

Do Say

• 城市居民的生活水平提高了很多。(The living standards of urban residents have improved greatly.)
• 居民们希望这里能建一个公园。(The residents hope a park can be built here.)

Don't Say

• 我是这个房子的居民 (居民 refers to residents of an area or community, not a single house — say 我住在这个房子里 or 我是这个小区的居民)

Origin & History

Composed of 居 (to reside, to dwell) and 民 (people, citizens), literally 'dwelling people' — those who live in a place.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal