Usage of ～名 as a Counter for People
The suffix ～名 (～めい) is a formal and common counter used to count people, especially in official or business contexts. It is often used in announcements, reservations, attendance lists, and capacity descriptions.
Common Contexts
- Formal settings such as meetings, events, or official documents.
- When specifying the number of people in reservations or bookings.
- Describing the capacity of vehicles or rooms.
Collocations and Patterns
- ～名が出席する: to have ～ people attend
- ～名で予約する: to make a reservation for ～ people
- ～名乗り: capacity for ～ people
Register and Politeness
～名 is more formal than simply using 人 (にん) and is preferred in written or polite spoken Japanese. It is less common in casual conversation.
Common Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse ～名 with ～人 (にん). While both count people, ～名 is more formal and used in official contexts, whereas ～人 is more general and casual. Use ～名 when you want to sound polite or official.