noun
General term for a person without noble or aristocratic status, used in historical and modern contexts.
彼は平民の出だが、努力して大臣になった。
He came from a commoner background but worked hard and became a minister.
Specifically refers to the lowest of the three social classes in Japan between 1869 and 1947, under the 族称 system.
See also: 族称
明治時代の平民は、華族や士族の下に置かれていた。
In the Meiji era, commoners were placed below the peerage and former samurai classes.