Translation guide
Expressing an unspecified but notable quantity of people, from 'several' to 'many', depending on context.
To say there were several people, a few people, or a small group, without specifying exactly how many.
The most direct and common way to say 'a number of people' when the number is relatively small (typically 2–10). Neutral and widely used.
数人が集まっていた。
A number of people had gathered.
数人の学生が質問をした。
Several students asked questions.
Literally 'some people' or 'a few people'. Very common in spoken Japanese. Implies an indefinite small number.
何人かが遅れて来た。
A few people came late.
More formal than 数人, often used in written or official contexts. '名' is a polite counter for people.
数名の職員が出席した。
Several staff members attended.
To express that there were many people, a large number, or a considerable crowd.
The standard way to say 'many people'. Neutral and can be used in any context.
多くの人がそのイベントに参加した。
Many people participated in the event.
Emphasizes a large crowd or throng of people. Often used for gatherings, events, or places.
公園には大勢の人がいた。
There were a large number of people in the park.
Slightly more formal, often used in news or reports. '多数' means 'large number'.
多数の人が避難した。
A large number of people evacuated.
To indicate that there is a notable but unspecified number of people, often in contexts like 'a number of people believe...' or 'a number of people have complained'.
Means 'a certain number of people', implying a significant enough quantity to be worth mentioning. Often used in formal or analytical contexts.
一定数の人がその政策に反対している。
A certain number of people oppose that policy.
Literary expression meaning 'not a few people', i.e., quite a few. Used in writing or formal speech.
少なからぬ人がその噂を信じている。
Quite a few people believe that rumor.
Both mean 'several people', but 数人 is slightly more definite (like 'a few specific people'), while 何人か is more vague ('some people, I don't know how many'). 何人か is more common in casual speech.
Do not translate 'a number of' as 数 (かず) in this context. 人々の数 means 'the number of people' (a count), not 'a number of people'.