Translation guide
In Japanese, expressing 'many people' depends on context: describing a large number of people, a crowd, or people in general. The most common and neutral way is 多くの人 (ōku no hito). For crowds or gatherings, 大勢 (ōzei) is natural. In formal or written contexts, 多数の人 (tasū no hito) is used. Be careful with counters like 何人も (nannin mo), which can mean 'many people' but also 'anyone' depending on context.
Express that there are many people in a neutral, everyday sense.
The most standard and versatile way to say 'many people'. Suitable for both spoken and written Japanese.
多くの人がそのイベントに参加した。
Many people participated in the event.
Many people are interested in this issue.
Emphasizes a large crowd or gathering of people. Often used for physical presence, like at a station or event. More colloquial than 多くの人.
駅には大勢の人がいた。
There were many people at the station.
大勢で押しかけるのはやめよう。
Let's not all go crowding in at once.
A casual, everyday phrase. Slightly more conversational than 多くの人. Very common in speech.
公園にたくさんの人がいた。
There were a lot of people in the park.
Formal, often used in written language, news, or official contexts. Implies a large number in a statistical or abstract sense.
多数の人がその法案に反対している。
A large number of people oppose the bill.
Focus on the fact that many individuals each do something, often with a sense of 'many a person'.
Standard pattern for 'many people do ~'. The verb ending can change based on tense and politeness.
多くの人が毎日運動している。
Many people exercise every day.
A structure where the topic is a type of person, and you comment that there are many of them. Natural in Japanese.
そう思う人は多い。
There are many people who think so.
日本では電車で通勤する人が多い。
In Japan, many people commute by train.
Describe a large, often disorderly group of people gathered in one place.
Refers to a crowd of people, often implying a busy, bustling, or congested area. Commonly used for crowded places.
人混みの中を歩くのは疲れる。
Walking through a crowd is tiring.
休日のショッピングモールは人混みがすごい。
The shopping mall is incredibly crowded on holidays.
A more formal or literary term for a crowd or multitude. Often used in news or written descriptions.
A huge crowd, multitude. Emphasizes the massive scale. Used in dramatic or descriptive contexts.
大群衆がスタジアムを埋め尽くした。
A huge crowd filled the stadium.
Use counters to specify 'many people' in a more numerical way, often in formal or written contexts.
Means 'many people' with an emphasis on the number. Can also mean 'several people' depending on context, but often implies a surprisingly large number.
Can be ambiguous; sometimes means 'a number of people' rather than 'many'. Context clarifies.
何人もの人が列に並んでいた。
Many people were lined up.
A slightly formal, emphatic way to say 'a great many people'. Often used in speeches or writing.
数多くの人が彼の功績を称えた。
A great many people praised his achievements.
多くの人 is neutral and can be used in any situation. 大勢 emphasizes a visible crowd or gathering, often outdoors or in public spaces. たくさんの人 is casual and conversational, similar to 'a lot of people'.
多くの人がその映画を見た。
Many people saw the movie. (neutral statement)
公園に大勢の人がいた。
There was a big crowd in the park. (visual, physical presence)
昨日のパーティー、たくさんの人が来たね。
A lot of people came to the party yesterday, huh? (casual)
多い人 (ōi hito) is grammatically incorrect in Japanese when trying to say 'many people'. 多い is an adjective that describes a state, not a direct modifier of a noun in this way. Use 多くの人 or たくさんの人 instead.
✕ 多い人が来た。
Incorrect: Ōi hito ga kita.
○ 多くの人が来た。
Correct: Many people came.
群衆が広場に集まった。
A crowd gathered in the square.