Translation guide
Expressing a large amount in Japanese depends on whether you're talking about quantity, volume, money, or degree. Common words include たくさん (takusan) for general 'a lot', 多い (ooi) as an adjective, and 大量 (tairyou) for 'large quantity' in formal contexts.
Expressing that there is a large amount of something in a general, everyday sense.
The most common and versatile word for 'a lot' or 'many'. Can be used as an adverb or a noun. Works with both countable and uncountable things.
公園に人がたくさんいます。
There are a lot of people in the park.
宿題がたくさんある。
I have a lot of homework.
An adjective meaning 'many' or 'much'. Used to describe a noun directly. Note that it cannot be used before a noun without a relative clause; say 人が多い (there are many people), not 多い人.
この町は観光客が多い。
This town has many tourists.
今年は雨が多いですね。
There's a lot of rain this year, isn't there?
Casual word meaning 'full' or 'a lot'. Often used in spoken Japanese. Can be an adverb or a noun.
お腹いっぱい。
I'm full. (lit. stomach full)
今日は仕事がいっぱいだ。
I have a lot of work today.
Referring to a large amount in a more formal, written, or technical context, often for goods, data, or substances.
Means 'large quantity' or 'massive amount'. Used in formal, business, or technical contexts. Often paired with に or の.
大量のデータを分析する。
Analyze a large amount of data.
工場では大量に生産している。
The factory produces in large quantities.
Similar to 大量 but slightly less common. Also means 'large quantity', often used in scientific or medical contexts.
Means 'enormous' or 'vast', often used for amounts of data, information, or money. Emphasizes the scale.
Specifically referring to a large sum of money.
Means 'large amount of money' or 'fortune'. Commonly used in everyday and business contexts.
宝くじで大金を当てた。
I won a large amount of money in the lottery.
Means 'large amount of money' or 'high price'. Often used in contexts like 'high-income' or 'expensive'.
Expressing that a lot of time or effort is involved.
Means 'great' or 'considerable', used with nouns like 時間 (time), 努力 (effort), 影響 (influence). Formal.
多大な時間を費やした。
I spent a great deal of time.
多大な努力が必要だ。
It requires a great deal of effort.
Means 'considerable' or 'quite a lot of'. Less formal than 多大な, used in both spoken and written Japanese.
かなりの時間がかかった。
It took quite a lot of time.
Expressing that something is done to a large extent or degree.
Adverb meaning 'greatly', 'very much', or 'a lot'. Used with verbs and adjectives.
大いに楽しんだ。
I enjoyed it a lot.
その話は大いに参考になった。
That story was very helpful.
Formal adverb meaning 'very' or 'extremely'. Can be used to emphasize a large degree.
The adjective 多い cannot directly modify a noun like in English 'many people'. Instead, use 多くの (ooku no) or a relative clause: 人が多い (there are many people).
多くの人が集まった。
Many people gathered.
たくさん is an adverb/noun meaning 'a lot', while 多い is an adjective meaning 'many/much'. たくさん can be used more flexibly, but 多い is needed to describe a state. For example, 人がたくさんいる (there are a lot of people) vs 人が多い (there are many people).
Please consume a large amount of fluids.
膨大な費用がかかる。
It costs an enormous amount of money.
高額の寄付をいただきました。
We received a large donation.
非常に多くの人が集まった。
A very large number of people gathered.