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I had always thought that in (人) and min (民) simply referred to people. However, during a recent discussion on social conflicts in a broadcast, someone pointed out that in refers to the ruling class, while min refers to the ruled. This sparked my curiosity. I began to examine how I had perceived and used these two characters and how our society has actually applied them in practice. Surprisingly, the distinction between these terms has long been a topic of interest for many people.

The Master said: In governing a state of a thousand chariots, one must be cautious in handling affairs to gain the people’s trust, be frugal in expenditures, love the people, and mobilize them at the right time.
— The Analects of Confucius

This passage appears in Xue Er (學而), the first chapter of The Analects, one of its twenty chapters. Those who explain the difference between in and min often highlight the specific phrase “愛人 使民” (love people, rule the people).

Let’s focus on these two characters. Both in (人) and min (民) mean “people,” but their usage suggests they are more than just synonyms. In emphasizes individuality, while min highlights collective identity. For example, words like 기업인 (企業人, businessperson), 언론인 (言論人, journalist), and 연예인 (演藝人, entertainer) use in, signifying individuals with specific roles. On the other hand, terms such as 국민 (國民, citizen), 시민 (市民, city resident), 농민 (農民, farmer), and 서민 (庶民, commoner) incorporate min, underscoring group identity as members of a society.

Historically, in (人) and min (民) have also reflected class distinctions. In the Joseon Dynasty, in generally referred to those of higher status or individuals recognized as independent. The term yangin (良人, good people) was used for legally free citizens, reinforcing this idea. In contrast, min often referred to peasants or laborers, the ruled classes. The word minran (民亂, people’s rebellion) is a clear example. Expressions like yangin (良人, free citizen) and cheonmin (賤民, lowly people) reveal how society used in and min to reflect social hierarchy. This aligns with the distinction in The Analects: in (人) are to be loved, while min (民) are to be governed.

An interesting observation is how in was used for those living inside city walls, while min referred to those outside. People residing in cities and engaged in intellectual or commercial activities were called in, such as 언론인 (言論人, journalist) or 상인 (商人, merchant). Meanwhile, those living in rural areas were min, as seen in 농민 (農民, farmer) or 어민 (漁民, fisherman). This linguistic distinction extends beyond mere occupation; it also reflects a social and geographical divide between the urban elite and the common people.

This concept is also evident in China. In (人) represents an individual entity, often appearing in legal and philosophical contexts. For example, the term 인권 (人權, human rights) emphasizes individual rights. In contrast, min (民) carries political and collective implications. The official name of China, the People’s Republic of China (中华人民共和国), uses 人民 (renmin, people) to signify not just citizens but an organized political mass. Since Mao Zedong’s era, terms like People’s Liberation Army (人民解放军), People’s Court (人民法院), and People’s Republic (人民共和国) have reinforced min as a core concept emphasizing collective identity in socialist states.

English also captures this distinction to some extent. Since in (人) emphasizes individuality, it is best translated as Person or Individual. For instance, 기업인 becomes Businessperson, 언론인 becomes Journalist, and 연예인 becomes Entertainer. Meanwhile, min (民), which stresses group identity, corresponds to People or The Public. 국민 (國民) translates to Citizens, 인민 (人民)—with its socialist connotation—translates to The People, and 민중 (民衆) becomes The Masses. The distinction between Person as an independent entity and People as members of a society reflects the difference between in and min in English.

Ultimately, we are both in (人) and min (民). We live as individuals while also functioning as part of society. During the daily subway commute, we are anonymous min, but at work, we take on specific roles as in. When voting, we act as 국민 (citizens), yet in times of financial hardship, we are 서민 (common people). Perhaps, navigating life is about balancing between in and min.