noun / adjective HSK 4
Traditional 大眾
the masses · the public · popular · mass (as in mass media)
Meaning
大众 refers to the general public or ordinary people collectively. It emphasizes the majority or common folk as opposed to elites or specialists. When used as an adjective, it describes things that are popular, accessible, or intended for the general population.
Usage
Commonly used in formal contexts, media, and marketing. Often appears in compounds like 大众文化 (popular culture) or 大众传媒 (mass media). In mainland China, it's also widely recognized as the Chinese name for Volkswagen automobiles, though the original meaning remains distinct.
Examples
- 01这本书很受大众欢迎。.This book is very popular with the general public.
- 02我们的产品价格实惠，适合大众消费。, .Our products are affordably priced and suitable for mass consumption.
Characters
Common collocations
- 大众文化popular culture
- 大众传媒mass media
- 面向大众oriented toward the public
- 大众消费mass consumption
Antonyms
Origin
The compound literally means 'big crowd' or 'great masses.' It has been used in Chinese for centuries to refer to the common people collectively, as opposed to ruling classes or intellectuals.