Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Population" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "population", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
人口
じんこう (jinkō)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
母集団
ぼしゅうだん (boshuudan)
C2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "population" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 人口 and 母集団.
In Japanese, 人口 (じんこう (jinkō)) is typically associated with "population" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Refers to the population or total number of people living in a country, city, or district. Often used as 人口減少 or 人口密度. ⚠️ Haruka's Voice Column: 'Population! "Even if the Earth's population is 8 billion, you are the only one I love, Haruka-san!" ...っ! O-One in 8 billion! B-Baka! Don't make such dramatic probability confessions! But... actually, you are also my one and only choice in this massive universe! dummy!' / 【ハルカ部長のワンポイント指導】『じんこう（人口）よ！『地球の人口が80億人を超えていても、僕が一生を捧げて愛するのはハルカさん、あなた一人だけです！』って…っ！80億分の一の愛！バカ！そんなロマンチックな確率論、真顔で言うんじゃないの！…でも、私もね、あんただけが宇宙で唯一の特別なんだから…隣にいなさい！』.
On the other hand, 母集団 (ぼしゅうだん (boshuudan)) maps to "population (statistics)" (Syllabus Level: C2) and represents Essential structural term in CEFR C2 vocabulary syllabus.. A literal translation of "population" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "人口"
現代の日本においては、少子高齢化の急速な進展に伴って、地方の過疎都市における_______減少が極めて深刻な課題となっています。
In modern Japan, along with the rapid progress of declining birthrate and aging population, population decline in local depopulated cities has become an extremely serious task.
Bilingual Context for "母集団"
私は母集団に興味があります。
I am interested in population (statistics).
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "現代の日本においては、少子高齢化の急速な進展に伴って、地方の過疎都市における_______減少が極めて深刻な課題となっています。" (Meaning: "In modern Japan, along with the rapid progress of declining birthrate and aging population, population decline in local depopulated cities has become an extremely serious task.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "人口" fits here because it means "population" in the context of: "In modern Japan, along with the rapid progress of declining birthrate and aging population, population decline in local depopulated cities has become an extremely serious task.". "母集団" represents "population (statistics)".