人ごみ

• Reading: ひとごみ
• Romaji: hitogomi
• Kanji breakdown: 人 (jin/hito) — person, people
• Pronunciation: /hi.to.ɡo.mi/

Meaning

Crowd of people; a densely packed group of people in a public area.

A noun describing a large, dense crowd of people, typically in public spaces like train stations, festivals, or shopping districts. Can also be written as 人込み or 人混み. Common usage: 人ごみを避ける (hitogomi wo sakeru, to avoid crowds), 人ごみが苦手 (hitogomi ga nigate, to dislike crowds). Often carries a slightly negative nuance of being overwhelming or uncomfortable.

Examples

1. 休日の渋谷は人ごみがすごい。 Shibuya on holidays has incredible crowds.
2. 人ごみが苦手なので朝早く出かけることにした。 I don't like crowds, so I decided to head out early in the morning.
3. お祭りの人ごみの中で友達とはぐれてしまった。 I got separated from my friend in the crowd at the festival.

Usage Guide

Context: urban life, travel, events

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 人 (hito, person/people) and ごみ (gomi, from 込み/混み meaning crowded/packed). Literally 'people-packed' — a throng of people.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal