population
/pɔ.py.la.sjɔ̃/feminine
The English word population is translated into French as population.
The term population refers to all people living within a political or geographical boundary. In formal contexts, such as when studying population demographics, the term Démographie is often used. To formally describe the people living in a particular area, you might also use the words Résidents or Habitants.
Meaning: all people living within a political or geographical boundary (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun population is feminine and is used with the definite article la (la population).
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 4 syllables and is pronounced /pɔ.py.la.sjɔ̃/.
Did you know?
- In French, a 'populace' is not just any group of people, but la populace refers specifically to the common people often in a derogatory or condescending way.
- The French word population shares a root with the English word 'popular', as both derive from the Latin 'populus' meaning 'people'.
- French speakers often use the word peuple instead of population when referring to the soul or cultural identity of a nation rather than just a count of people.
Examples in context
- La population du Japon diminue.Japan's population is declining.This sentence is useful for seeing how to describe a declining population.Tatoeba #11381993 by lbdx, translation #5965123 by Hybrid
- La population japonaise diminue.The Japanese population is shrinking.This sentence is useful for seeing how to describe a shrinking population.Tatoeba #10516379 by lbdx, translation #3069616 by Hybrid
- La population de cette ville croît.The population of this city is on the increase.This sentence is useful for seeing how to describe a growing population.Tatoeba #905719 by sacredceltic, translation #57691 by CM
- La population mondiale ne cesse de croître.The world population continues to grow.
- 113 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two students are discussing a geography assignment in a library.
- ChloéQuelle est la population de ce pays ?What is the population of this country?
- HugoElle est d'environ huit millions d'habitants.It is about eight million inhabitants.
- ChloéLa population est très dense ici.The population is very dense here.
- HugoOui, c'est un fait frappant.Yes, it is a striking fact.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “population” translations and entries population, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries population, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
