Minna is an expression that sparks interest among anime viewers or those who live in everyday Japan. You might even know the meaning, but do you really know everything? In this article, we will examine the word minna [皆].
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What does Minna mean in Japanese?
Will it be something explosive? A slang term referring to girls and young women? None of that, this word refers to everyone... That's right, minna [皆んな] literally means people, everyone who is listening, everybody, and the like.
Usually the formal version minasan [皆さん] is used or the more polite version for formal speeches minasama [皆様]. Both expressions can be found only in hiragana, mixing hiragana with kanji or just the kanji.
Another informal way of referring to everyone is by using miruna [みるな]. The ideogram can also be used as a prefix meaning everyone or each one, usually words composed with the ideogram [皆] are read as kai.
What is the difference between Minna and Mina?
The word can be written only with the ideogram [皆] or using an irregular okurigana [皆んな]. Originally in history, the correct term is "mina" [みな], but over the years, the custom of lengthening the expression was adopted, thus creating "minna".
In other words, we generally use mina for more formal occasions and minna for informal occasions. Although the word has an extension with [ん] becoming minna in isolation, do not try to say something like minnasan or minnasama because that doesn't exist.
Despite being possible to write both words with the ideogram [皆], generally in the written part of minna, hiragana or [皆んな] are usually used to convey emotion and emphasis, also avoiding people from reading it as just "mina".
To delve deeper into the meaning of "minna", we recommend doing a thorough search using jisho.org or some other research and dictionary tool.
Why do Japanese people speak minna a lot?
Do you know why this word is so often heard in anime? The reason for this is that Japanese people are highly group-oriented and unconsciously value group harmony over individual freedom, which is why many minna.
This expression can be used for a small or large group of people, a circle of friends or even in the absence of people to refer to a group of friends. This word is very important in Japanese culture.
Minna can also be said willingly, with expression to cause emotion to the listener. Japanese always try to follow what minna is saying to get along with a group. It's not just everyone, it's like a "Hey you guys! Attention!".
Phrases and expressions about everyone in Japanese
Stop what you are saying
みなまで言うな
minamadeiuna
All the leaves fell.
木の葉はみんな落ちてしまった
Konoha wa min'na ochite shimatta
Hello everyone.
皆さん、こんにちは。
mina san, konnichiwa.
Is everyone ready?
したくはいいですね、みなさん。
shitaku wa ii desu ne, minasa.
Please stay still
みなさんじっとしていて下さい
Minasan jitto shite ite kudasai
I am not afraid if everyone crosses the red light.
赤信号皆で渡れば怖くない
Akashingō mina de watareba kowakunai
Party for everyone
みんなの党
minnanotou
We recommend reading our article about Komi-san Komyushou desu where a sentence with Minna appears. We always recommend searching for the word on our site to find more expressions and better understand its meaning.
Words Related to ideogram of mine [皆]
To finish the article, I will leave some related words to increase your vocabulary and understanding:
- Zenin [全員] - All members; all hands; everyone; all tribulation;
- Katagata [方々] - People; all people; everyone; ladies and gentlemen;
- Minamine [皆々] - Everyone; everybody; everything;
- Kaimoku [皆目] - Entirely;
- Minagoroshi [皆殺し] - Massacre; annihilation; mass murder;
- Minanomono [皆の者] - Todo mundo;
- Minna ga minna [皆が皆] - Each and every one; each one; everybody;
- Kaiki [皆既] - Total eclipse; totality;
- Kaichuu [皆中] - Hit all targets;
- Mine no shuu [皆の衆] - Todo mundo;