人気のある
ninki no aru
In Japanese, the English phrase "popular" is translated as 人気のある (ninki no aru). If unsure, use 人気のある. Wiktionary also lists 受けのよい (uke no yoi).
Meaning: liked by many people (adj)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 人気のある | ninki no aru |
| 受けのよい | uke no yoi |
The term is used to describe something or someone that is liked by many people. In informal contexts, you may also use 人気な to express popularity or the term 流行り (hayari) when referring to popular trends or fashions.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 人気のある literally means "having popularity", composed of 人気 (popularity) and ある (to exist or to have).
Which one should you use?
While 人気のある describes general popularity, the alternative form 受けのよい is used to describe something that is "well-received" or has a good impression among a specific group.
How do you pronounce it?
ninki no aru
Did you know?
- When talking about a 'popular' person in a school or social setting, Japanese speakers often use the word モテる (moteru).
- In Japanese pop culture, the term 人気投票 (ninkitōhyō) refers to popularity polls where fans vote for their favorite characters, often deciding which characters get more screen time in manga.
- Certain words for 'popular' are avoided in very formal settings, where expressions like 評判が良い (hyōban ga yoi), meaning 'having a good reputation', are preferred over 人気のある.
Examples in context
- 牛乳は人気のある飲み物だ。Milk is a popular beverage.This sentence shows how to use 人気のある to describe a beverage.Tatoeba #9729366 by bunbuku, translation #19461 by CM
- 今人気のある映画は何ですか。What is the most popular movie now?This sentence uses 人気のある to ask about a popular movie.Tatoeba #172336 by bunbuku, translation #242139 by CK
- トランプは人気のある娯楽だ。Playing cards is a popular pastime.This sentence demonstrates using 人気のある to describe a pastime.Tatoeba #199715 by bunbuku, translation #36918 by CK
- この商品は非常に人気があります。This product is very popular.
- 彼女は人気のある歌手です。She is a popular singer.
- この服は最近流行りです。This clothing is popular lately.
- その店は人気のあるカフェです。That store is a popular café.
- この映画は人気のある作品だ。This movie is a popular work.
- 13 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yui and Hiroto are talking about a new cafe.
- 結衣 Yuiこのカフェは今、とても人気のある店だよ。Kono kafe wa ima, totemo ninki no aru mise dayo.This cafe is a very popular shop right now.
- 大翔 Hiroto本当だね。人がたくさん並んでいるよ。Hontō dane. Hito ga takusan narande iru yo.You're right. There are a lot of people lining up.
- 結衣 Yui大翔くんは甘いものが好き？Hiroto-kun wa amai mono ga suki?Do you like sweets, Hiroto?
- 大翔 Hirotoうん。人気のあるケーキを食べてみたい。Un. Ninki no aru kēki o tabete mitai.Yes. I want to try the popular cake.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “popular” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
