people
Definitions
Human beings in general; persons considered collectively.
人；人们（泛指人类或一群人）。
The citizens or ordinary members of a country or community, especially as a political body.
人民，民众（一国或某群体的普通成员，尤指作为政治主体）。
A nation, ethnic group, or community sharing a common culture (plural: peoples).
民族，族群（拥有共同文化的群体；复数作 peoples）。
To fill a place with inhabitants; to populate.
（使）住满人，使有人居住。
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedpeople is Latin populus ('the people') that came in through Old French peuple, which is why it no longer looks like its cousin population. The plain sense ('human beings') and the political sense ('the people of a nation') both go straight back to that Latin 'body of citizens.'
Root popul still carries 6 more wordsWhy It Means This
people is the everyday English face of populus. Two things trip learners up. First, it is normally a plural with no -s ('three people,' not 'three persons' in everyday use); the form 'peoples' is reserved for distinct nations or ethnic groups ('the indigenous peoples of the Americas'). Second, beneath the common noun lies the original Latin idea of a 'body of citizens,' which surfaces in 'the people' (the populace as a political force) and in the rare verb 'to people' a land — to fill it with inhabitants.
Usage Guide
- Countable plural: 'people' is the usual plural of 'person.' Say 'ten people,' not 'ten persons' (persons is formal/legal).
- 'peoples' (with -s): only for several distinct nations or ethnic groups — 'the peoples of Europe.'
- 'the people' (with the): often means the citizens as a political body — 'power to the people,' 'government by the people.'
- Verb sense is rare and literary: 'The valley was peopled by farmers.'
Example Sentences
- 1.
There were too many people in the small room.
- 2.
The government must listen to what the people want.
- 3.
The treaty recognized the rights of indigenous peoples.
- 4.
The new colony was soon peopled by settlers from the south.
Easily Confused
people vs persons — both are plural of 'person,' but people is the everyday choice ('a lot of people'); persons is formal, legal, or fixed-phrase ('persons unknown,' 'missing persons'). Also note people (no -s, a group of humans) vs peoples (with -s, several nations/ethnic groups).