1.
private sector; non-governmental; civilian
The sphere of society outside the government, including private businesses, organizations, and ordinary citizens. Used as a noun or as a modifier (民間の) to contrast with public/governmental entities.
民間企業で働いている。
I work at a private company.
政府は民間の力を活用する方針を示した。
The government indicated a policy of utilizing private-sector capabilities.
官から民間への移行が進んでいる。
The shift from public to private sector is progressing.
2.
folk; popular; among the people
Traditions, beliefs, remedies, or practices that originate from and are transmitted among ordinary people rather than through official or academic channels.
民間療法を試してみた。
I tried a folk remedy.
この地域には民間信仰が今も根づいている。
Folk beliefs are still deeply rooted in this region.
民間に伝わる昔話を収集して本にまとめた。
Folk tales passed down among the people were collected and compiled into a book.
USAGE:
民間 is most commonly used as a modifier (民間の or in compound form) to contrast with government or official entities. Sense 1 (private sector) is the more frequent usage in modern Japanese, especially in business and political contexts. Sense 2 (folk) appears in cultural and medical contexts.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 民間企業: private company
- 民間委託: outsourcing to private sector
- 民間療法: folk remedy
- 民間信仰: folk belief
- 民間伝承: folk tradition