Key Facts
- Hangul: 사람들; Revised Romanization: saramdeul
- Part of speech: noun
- Origin: native Korean; 들 is the plural suffix
- Register: Neutral.
People in Korean: What Does 사람들 Mean?
사람들 means people as a group. The suffix 들 turns the singular 사람 into a plural, but Korean uses it more sparingly than English does. 사람 on its own can refer to one person or to people, depending on context. A number or a clear group context can supply the plural meaning without 들. For a respectful plural, use 분들, the honorific plural of 분.
How Do You Pronounce It?
Three syllables: sa-ram-deul. The final ㅁ of the middle syllable links with the ㄷ of the next without a pause. Say the last syllable with ㅡ, an unrounded vowel made with the lips spread, not the u of "dull".
Example Sentences with 사람들
사람들이 많아요.
Saramdeuri manayo.
There are many people.
A crowd description. 많아요 means "are many", so the sentence says the place is crowded with people.
사람들은 친절해요.
Saramdeureun chinjeolhaeyo.
The people are kind.
A general statement about a group. 사람들은 친절해요 gives the whole group the quality 친절해요, "are kind".
사람들과 이야기해요.
Saramdeulgwa iyagihaeyo.
I talk with people.
A conversation sentence. 과 means "with", so 사람들과 reads "with people", and 이야기해요 is "talk".
Common Phrases and Collocations
These phrases show the plural in typical positions: before a noun, after "in front of", and with a gathering verb.
| Korean | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 많은 사람들 | many people |
| 사람들 앞에서 | in front of people |
| 사람들이 모이다 | for people to gather |
The Mistake to Avoid
Wrong: assuming that every English plural needs 들 in Korean.
Correct: 사람 세 명 means “three people” without 들. This is a natural neutral headcount. You may also meet 들 alongside numbers when a speaker emphasizes a group; treat the unmarked form as your starting pattern, rather than treating 들 with a number as always ungrammatical.
사람들 Compared with 사람 and 분들
The plural sits between its singular and its honorific version.
| Word | Meaning | How it differs |
|---|---|---|
| 사람들 | people (plural of 사람) | This page's word |
| 사람 | person | Can refer to one person or to people when context makes the number clear. |
| 분들 | people (honorific) | The honorific plural of 분; use it for people you respect. |
Where Does the Word Come From?
사람들 is built from the native word 사람 plus the plural suffix 들. It has no hanja.
Choosing a Quieter Cafe
Two coworkers reach a crowded cafe during lunch. They decide to look for somewhere else.
Jisu
여기는 사람들이 많네요.
Yeogineun saramdeuri manneyo.
There are a lot of people here.
Alex
그러게요. 앉을 자리가 없어요.
Geureogeyo. Anjeul jariga eopseoyo.
You are right. There is nowhere to sit.
Jisu
다른 카페로 갈까요?
Dareun kapero galkkayo?
Shall we go to another cafe?
Alex
네, 조용한 곳으로 가요.
Ne, joyonghan goseuro gayo.
Yes, let us go somewhere quiet.
사람들이 많네요 comments on a crowd the speaker has just noticed. The ending 네요 suits that immediate observation. The reply focuses on the practical problem: there is no place to sit. 사람들 describes the people present without giving an exact number or naming each person.
How Do Particles Attach to 사람들?
The plural suffix 들 attaches directly to 사람. A particle then follows the whole noun: 사람들이 marks the subject, 사람들은 marks the topic, and 사람들과 means “with people”. These are single written units, so there is no space before 들 or before the particle.
In 사람들이, the final ㄹ of 들 carries into the following vowel when spoken. This explains why the romanization in the example is saramdeuri. The spelling still keeps 사람들이. In 사람들과, the particle 과 starts with a consonant, so it does not make the same vowel connection.
Which Group Do 사람들 Phrases Refer To?
그 사람들 means “those people” or “the people we have been talking about”. The word 그 helps identify an already known group. 모르는 사람들 means people you do not know, or strangers. The description before 사람들 tells you which group the speaker has in mind.
주변 사람들 means the people around someone. Depending on the situation, that can refer to nearby people or to a person's social circle. In a conversation about a decision, it may concern friends and coworkers rather than everyone physically standing nearby. 주변 supplies the relationship to the speaker or person being discussed.
사람들 앞에서 literally means “in front of people”. It can describe speaking before an audience or doing something while others watch. The phrase does not specify a formal stage: giving a short presentation in a meeting also places you 사람들 앞에서.
When Is a More Specific Group Word Better?
사람들 identifies human beings as a group, but it does not tell you their role. 손님들 means customers or guests, 학생들 means students, and 친구들 means friends. Choosing the role word helps the listener understand who is involved without waiting for another sentence.
분들 adds respect when referring to people. Adding 요 at the end of a sentence makes your speech polite to the listener, but it does not automatically make 사람들 an honorific noun. When you need to honor the group itself, choose 분들 or an appropriate respectful title.
Words for Talking about Groups
| Korean | Meaning | Useful distinction |
|---|---|---|
| 모두 | everyone / all | Emphasizes the whole group. |
| 여러 사람 | several people | Refers to multiple people without an exact count. |
| 손님들 | guests / customers | Names the group's role in a home or business. |
| 분들 | people, respectfully | Adds respect to the reference. |
The relationships vocabulary lesson gives you words for identifying people through social ties. Compare the person page for introducing one individual and using respectful forms.
Quick Self-Test
- Where does the subject particle go: before or after 들?
- What does 사람들 앞에서 mean during a presentation?
- Does sentence-final 요 turn 사람들 into an honorific noun?
Show answers
- After 들: 사람들이.
- In front of people, or before an audience.
- No. 분들 is a respectful alternative for the group itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you say "people" in Korean?
Say 사람들 (saramdeul).
Do I always need 들?
No. With a number or quantity word, use 사람 alone, as in 사람 세 명.
How do you say "many people"?
많은 사람들 means "many people".
Is there a polite plural?
Yes. 분들 is the honorific plural of 분.
Related Words and What to Learn Next
- Theme list: relationship words groups 사람들 with words for family and social ties.
- Index: Korean words A to Z lists every single-word page.
- Practice: add 사람들 to the vocabulary flashcard decks.
- See the singular on the page for person.