How do you use "Hoi polloi" in a sentence?

Mixing with the hoi polloi. Too good for the hoi polloi. The hoi polloi were kept out.

Hoi polloi

Q: What does "Hoi polloi" mean?

The common people; the masses Ordinary people, the masses—often used dismissively by those who consider themselves superior. Technically already means 'the' (hoi), so 'the hoi polloi' is redundant.

Slang Term BritishAmerican ★★★☆☆ Moderate Neutral

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Meaning: The common people; the masses

普通百姓、大众

La gente corriente; las masas

一般庶民、大衆

일반 서민, 대중

Ordinary people, the masses—often used dismissively by those who consider themselves superior. Technically already means 'the' (hoi), so 'the hoi polloi' is redundant.

普通人、大众。常被自认为高人一等的人轻蔑地使用。从技术上讲，'hoi'在希腊语中已经是'the'的意思，所以'the hoi polloi'是赘余的。

Gente ordinaria, las masas. A menudo usado con desdén por quienes se consideran superiores. Técnicamente 'hoi' ya significa 'los' en griego, así que 'the hoi polloi' es redundante.

普通の人々、大衆。自分が優れていると考える人が軽蔑的に使うことが多い。ギリシャ語で「hoi」はすでに「the」の意味なので、「the hoi polloi」は厳密には重複表現。

평범한 사람들, 대중—자신이 우월하다고 여기는 사람들이 경멸적으로 사용하는 경우가 많다. 엄밀히 말하면 hoi 자체가 '그'라는 뜻이므로 'the hoi polloi'는 중복이다.

Examples

Mixing with the hoi polloi.
与普通百姓打交道
mezclándose con el vulgo
一般庶民と交わる
일반 서민들과 어울리다.
Too good for the hoi polloi.
对平民百姓来说太好了
demasiado bueno para el populacho
庶民には勿体ない
서민들에게는 과분한.
The hoi polloi were kept out.
普通百姓被拒之门外
al vulgo no se le dejó entrar
一般大衆は締め出された
일반 대중은 쫓겨났다.

Pronunciation

Usage Guide

Context: snobbish, ironic

Tone: dismissive, often ironic now

✓ Do Say

The hoi polloi
普通百姓
el vulgo
一般大衆
일반 대중
Among the hoi polloi
在大众之中
entre el vulgo
大衆の中で
대중 사이에서

✗ Don't Say

Can seem pretentious
可能显得装腔作势
Puede sonar pretencioso
気取って聞こえることがある
허세 부리는 것처럼 보일 수 있음

Common Mistakes

Saying 'the hoi polloi' is technically redundant

Origin & History

Greek 'hoi polloi' meaning 'the many.' Adopted into English to describe common people, often with snobbish connotations.

Etymology: Greek hoi polloi (the many)

First recorded: 17th century English usage

Cultural Context

Era: 17th century onwards

Generation: All generations

Social background: Upper class about others

Pop culture: British class language

Regional notes: British and American usage.

Variations

Hoi polloiThe hoi polloi