Renmin
/ˈrɛn.mɪn/noun
A Mandarin Chinese term meaning the people or populace, especially in political contexts.
Did you know?The word became globally familiar through renminbi, literally “the people’s currency,” the official name of China’s currency.
Etymological Timeline
Classical Chinese
Classical Chinese
人民
“The people; the populace; literally, person/people plus the people or populace.”
2nd Century BCE
Chinese
rénmín
“A recorded political and social term referring collectively to ordinary people or the population.”
20th Century
Mandarin
人民
“The people, especially as a collective political body.”
1949
Mandarin
Rénmín
“A prominent official political term in the newly established People’s Republic of China.”
1949
Mandarin
人民币 (rénmínbì)
“The people’s currency, the official name adopted for China’s currency.”
Modern English
English
renmin
“A transliterated Chinese term used in English writing for the people or the Chinese populace, often in political contexts.”