grass roots 基层；基层群众；基础；基层民众；平民百姓

【例句】
So when he gave me this job, I understood: he wanted to try hard to understand the real truth at the grass roots level.
所以，当耀邦同志给我布置这个任务时，我心里明白：他是想尽可能地多了解基层的真实情况。

Mr Zuma had a solid reputation as a grass roots organiser.
作为一个民众的组织者，祖玛先生名声甚佳。