多い
ōi[o̞ːi]
The Japanese word for many is 多い (ōi). Wiktionary also lists 多くの (ōkuno) and 沢山 (takusan).
Meaning: an indefinite large number of (det)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 多い | ōi | [o̞ːi] (narrow) |
| 多くの | ōkuno | |
| 沢山 | takusan | [ta̠kɯ̟̊sã̠ɴ] (narrow) |
多い is an adjective used to describe a state of being numerous. It is typically used at the end of a sentence to describe a subject, such as saying 'The doubts are many' (疑問が多い).
Which one should you use?
While 多い is an adjective describing a state of being numerous, 沢山 is an adverbial noun often used to describe the quantity of an action or the amount of something being present.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective 多い cannot be used directly before a noun to modify it, unlike the English 'many'.
How do you pronounce it?
ōi
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly say 多い人 to mean 'many people'. Instead, use 多くの人 to modify a noun.
Did you know?
- The word 沢山 is written with kanji that were originally chosen for their sound rather than their meaning, a practice known as ateji.
Examples in context
- 疑問が多い。I have many doubts.This sentence is useful for expressing that you have many doubts using 多い.Tatoeba #11256156 by sh5555, translation #11047618 by maaster
- 日本は地震が多い。There are many earthquakes in Japan.This sentence is useful for describing the frequency of earthquakes in Japan using 多い.Tatoeba #122426 by bunbuku, translation #281577 by CK
- 出張は多いですか。Do you have many out-of-town assignments?This sentence is useful for asking about the quantity of out-of-town assignments using 多い.Tatoeba #147714 by small_snow, translation #266847 by CM
- 町の中にはたくさんの人々がいます。There are many people in the town.
- 売り場にはたくさんの商品があります。There are many products in the store.
- 多数の学生が参加しました。Many students participated.
- たくさんのりんごを食べました。I ate many apples.
- 315 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daito and Yui are talking about a local park.
- 大翔 Hirotoこの公園は人が多いね。Kono kōen wa hito ga ooi ne.There are many people in this park, aren't there?
- 結衣 Yui本当だ。今日は休みの日かな。Hontō da. Kyō wa yasumi no hi kana.You're right. I wonder if today is a holiday.
- 大翔 Hiroto犬を連れている人も多いよ。Inu o tsurete iru hito mo ooi yo.There are many people bringing their dogs, too.
- 結衣 Yuiみんな楽しそうに散歩しているね。Minna tanoshisō ni sanpo shite iru ne.Everyone looks like they are enjoying their walk.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “many” translations and entries 多い, 沢山, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 多い, 沢山, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
