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.
many people (general)
many people (crowd)
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.
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.
A casual, everyday phrase. Slightly more conversational than 多くの人. Very common in speech.
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.
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.
Describe a large, often disorderly group of people gathered in one place.
Use counters to specify 'many people' in a more numerical way, often in formal or written contexts.
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'.
Many people saw the movie. (neutral statement)
There were many people at the station.
Let's not all go crowding in at once.
A large number of people oppose the bill.
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.
There are many people who think so.
In Japan, many people commute by train.
Refers to a crowd of people, often implying a busy, bustling, or congested area. Commonly used for crowded places.
Walking through a crowd is tiring.
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 crowd gathered in the square.
A huge crowd, multitude. Emphasizes the massive scale. Used in dramatic or descriptive contexts.
A huge crowd filled the stadium.
Many people were lined up.
A slightly formal, emphatic way to say 'a great many people'. Often used in speeches or writing.
A great many people praised his achievements.
There was a big crowd in the park. (visual, physical presence)
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.
Incorrect: Ōi hito ga kita.
Correct: Many people came.