citizen
Definitions
A legally recognized member of a country or state, with its rights and duties
公民，国民
A person who lives in a particular town or city; an inhabitant
市民，居民
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedFrom Old French citeain — a member of the cité (city/community). The cit- traces back to Latin civitas, so a citizen is literally 'one who belongs to the city-community.' The meaning climbed from 'city-dweller' up to 'full legal member of a state.'
Root civ still carries 9 more wordsWhy It Means This
Note the spelling: citizen is cit-, not civ-. The Latin v in civitas softened and dropped on the way through French, so the family splits into a v-keeping branch (civic, civil, civilian) and a v-losing branch (city, citizen, citadel). All come from the same idea of the citizen and his community. The meaning grew from 'someone living in a city' to 'a full legal member of a nation' — which is why you can be a citizen of a whole country.
Usage Guide
- citizen of (a country/city): a citizen of Canada — not 'citizen in.'
- dual citizen / dual citizenship: holding two nationalities.
- senior citizen: a polite term for an elderly person.
- citizen (inhabitant sense) is now somewhat formal; everyday English prefers 'resident' or 'local.'
Example Sentences
- 1.
After living here for ten years, she finally became a British citizen.
- 2.
Every citizen has the right to vote in the election.
- 3.
The mayor urged citizens to save water during the drought.