people

Everyday

1. People means more than one person: men, women and children. tree →
2. People means persons in general, everyone. tree →
3. A people (peoples) is a nation or a group with its own language and ways. tree →
4. (casual) «People» can mean your family or friends: «my people», «good people»; «peeps» is slang for people or friends. tree →
5. (rude) «Some people!» complains about someone without naming them; «people like you» can be an insult. tree →
6. (formal) Notices and exams say «persons», «individuals», «occupants», «attendees», «passengers» and «members of the public». tree →

In the lessons

persons counted on a bus, at a party, in a family or a group; in social studies, the peoples of the world; phrases «a lot of people», «most people», «young people», «people say», «people person»; in casual talk «peeps», «my people», «loads of people», «like 30 people»; in rough talk «some people, honestly», «people like you never pay»; in the exam voice «persons», «occupants», «a maximum of 40 persons», «individuals in attendance»

Examples

• There were 25 people at the party. tree →
• 12 people got off the bus. tree →
• Each person gets 2 slices. tree →
• How many people are there in all? tree →
• Most people sleep at night. tree →
• The bus can carry 40 people. tree →
• Many peoples live in Africa. tree →
• People say the old house is haunted. tree →
• Like 30 people turned up, mad! tree →
• Some people, honestly, he took 3 seats on the bus. tree →
• The lift is licensed to carry a maximum of 8 persons. Determine the number of journeys required for 20 persons. tree →
• My peeps are coming over, we're 6. tree →
• The peoples who tell the stories differ in colour; language, religion, and almost everything else; but they all love a nursery tale. tree →

Note

A thing counted; the plural of «person». «each person gets N» gives a rate. Trap: people may be split into groups (adults, children) to add. «People» takes a plural verb: «people are», not «people is». «persons», «individuals» and «occupants» in notices and exams also mean people. «like 30 people» in talk means about 30.

In Jewish tradition

It often means the nation of Israel, or other nations as "peoples". It can also mean the whole community gathered together.

Interpretation. Jewish tradition sees Israel as God's chosen people, bound to Him by the covenant at Sinai. The "peoples" are the other nations of the world.

Examples

• Let peoples serve thee, and nations bow down to thee. (Torah GEN.27.29, JPS 1917) tree →
• The peoples have heard, they tremble; pangs have taken hold on the inhabitants of Philistia. (Torah EXO.15.14, JPS 1917) tree →
• Ye shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the peoples that are round about you; (Torah DEU.6.14, JPS 1917) tree →
• And why do the peoples mutter in vain? (Writings PSA.2.1, JPS 1917) tree →
• He subdueth peoples under us, and nations under our feet. (Writings PSA.47.4, JPS 1917) tree →
• They did not destroy the peoples, as the LORD commanded them; (Writings PSA.106.34, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

A thing counted; the plural of «person». «each person gets N» gives a rate. Trap: people may be split into groups (adults, children) to add. «People» takes a plural verb: «people are», not «people is». «persons», «individuals» and «occupants» in notices and exams also mean people. «like 30 people» in talk means about 30.