Translation guide
How to express the idea of being physically located within a large group of people, or doing something while surrounded by others.
I was standing in a crowd.
I spotted my friend in the crowd.
Similar to 人混み, but 群衆 is a more formal/literary word for 'crowd'. Often used in written descriptions or news.
He disappeared into the crowd.
A slightly more casual variant of 人混みの中に, often used in spoken Japanese. The particle に can be omitted in casual speech.
I lost sight of him in the crowd.
Describing an action performed while surrounded by people.
Expressing the sense of being unnoticed or overwhelmed by a large group.
Describing someone or something that is noticeable among many people.
目立つ means 'to stand out'. This phrase is used when someone is conspicuous in a crowd.
He stood out in the crowd.
A more emphatic way to say 'stands out', literally 'catches the eye especially even in a crowd'.
人混み (ひとごみ) is the everyday word for a crowd of people, commonly used in conversation. 群衆 (ぐんしゅう) is more formal and often appears in writing or news reports. For most situations, 人混み is preferred.
Shibuya is always crowded on weekends.
A crowd gathered in the square.
Avoid directly translating 'in a crowd' as 群れの中に (in a herd/flock) or 大勢の中で (among many people) without context. These can sound unnatural or overly literal. Stick to 人混みの中に/で for most cases.
I was buried in the crowd and couldn't see anything.
Her red dress really stood out in the crowd.