密集

みっしゅう

crowd, close formation, dense

JLPT N1

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

"密集" (みっしゅう) refers to things being closely packed or crowded together. It is often used to describe physical density, such as buildings, people, or objects arranged tightly in a space.

Common Contexts

You will frequently see "密集" used in urban planning, crowd descriptions, or factory layouts where space is limited and items or people are close together.

Collocations and Patterns

  • 密集した地域 (densely packed area): used to describe places with many buildings or structures close together.
  • 密集した人ごみ (dense crowd): refers to a tightly packed group of people.
  • 密集して配置される (arranged densely): used for objects or machines placed closely.

Register and Nuance

"密集" is a formal noun often used in written or formal spoken Japanese, such as news reports or technical descriptions. It is less common in casual conversation.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse "密集" with "密接" (みっせつ), which means "close connection" or "intimate relationship." Remember that "密集" focuses on physical density or crowding, not abstract closeness.

Example Sentences

このちいきはたてものがみっしゅうしているため、かじのさいはとくにちゅういがひつようだ。

This area has densely packed buildings, so special caution is needed in case of fire.

みっしゅうしたひとごみのなかでさいふをおとさないようにきをつけてください。

Be careful not to drop your wallet in the dense crowd.

このこうじょうではきかいがみっしゅうしてはいちされているため、さぎょうスペースがせまい。

In this factory, machines are arranged in a close formation, so the working space is narrow.