人気

• Reading: にんき
• Romaji: ninki
• Kanji breakdown: 人 (jin/nin/hito) — person; 気 (ki/ke) — spirit, feeling
• Pronunciation: /nin.ki/

Meaning

Popularity; public favour; being well-liked by many people.

A noun and adjectival noun describing how popular or well-liked someone or something is. Extremely common in everyday conversation. Key expressions: 人気がある (ninki ga aru, to be popular), 人気者 (ninkimono, popular person), 大人気 (daininki, hugely popular). Used for people, products, places, and media. One of the most frequently used words when discussing trends and preferences.

Examples

1. あのラーメン屋はいつも人気で行列ができる。 That ramen shop is always so popular there's a line out the door.
2. 彼女はクラスで一番人気がある。 She's the most popular person in the class.
3. この漫画は世界中で大人気だ。 This manga is hugely popular around the world.

Usage Guide

Context: trends, recommendations, media

Tone: positive

Origin & History

Compound of 人 (nin, person) and 気 (ki, spirit/feeling). Literally 'the feeling of people' — the collective sentiment or favour people hold toward something.

Cultural Context

Era: Edo period

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal