Meaning and Usage
The word 皆 (みな) means "everyone" or "all" and is used to refer to a group of people collectively. It is a common and polite way to address or talk about all members of a group.
Common Contexts
You will often hear 皆 used in greetings like 皆さん (みなさん), which is a polite way to say "everyone" when addressing a group. It is also used to express actions or states involving all members of a group, such as 皆で (みなで) meaning "all together."
Collocations and Patterns
- 皆さん: polite form to address everyone
- 皆で + verb: indicates doing something together as a group
- 皆が + verb: indicates that everyone does or knows something
Register and Politeness
皆 is polite but neutral and can be used in both formal and informal situations. When addressing people directly, 皆さん is more polite and common.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 皆 with 全部 (ぜんぶ), which means "all" but refers to things rather than people. Remember 皆 is for people, while 全部 is for objects or abstract things.