沢山
takusan[ta̠kɯ̟̊sã̠ɴ]
In Japanese, 'much' can be expressed as 沢山 (takusan). If unsure, use 沢山. Wiktionary also lists 多くの (ōku no) and 多い (ōi).
Meaning: a large amount of (det)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 沢山 | takusan | [ta̠kɯ̟̊sã̠ɴ] (narrow) |
| 多くの | ōku no | |
| 多い | ōi | [o̞ːi] (narrow) |
The term is used to denote a large amount of something.
Which one should you use?
While both 多くの and 沢山 can modify nouns, 多くの is more formal and literary, whereas 沢山 is more common in spoken language.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Kansai region, めっちゃ is often used instead of tottemo.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective 多い (many/much) cannot be used directly before a noun to mean 'many [noun]' without the particle の, unlike in English. Additionally, 沢山の and 多い can also be used as adverbs meaning 'to a great extent'.
How do you pronounce it?
takusan
Did you know?
- The kanji for 沢山 are actually 'ateji', meaning they were chosen for their sounds rather than their literal meanings to represent the word.
- While English uses 'many' for countable items and 'much' for uncountable ones, Japanese avoids this strict distinction when using 沢山.
Examples in context
- 口数が多いぞ。You talk too much.This sentence uses the form 多い to show someone talks a lot.Tatoeba #173898 by bunbuku, translation #240572 by CK
- 一年中雨が多い。They have much rain all year round.This sentence uses the form 多い to describe a high amount of rain.Tatoeba #190223 by KK_kaku_, translation #27382 by Tangobango
- お金が沢山必要ですか。Do you need much money?This sentence uses the form 沢山 to ask about a large amount of money.Tatoeba #227275 by bunbuku, translation #64625 by CK
- とても安いですIt is very cheap.
- たいへん寂しいですIt is very lonely.
- 全然退屈しないI'm not bored at all.
- 23 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Youta and Himari are talking about a recent trip to a festival.
- 陽太 Yotaお祭りに人が沢山いましたね。omatsuri ni hito ga takusan imashita ne.There were many people at the festival, wasn't there?
- 陽葵 Himariはい、とても賑やかでした。hai, totemo nigiyaka deshita.Yes, it was very lively.
- 陽太 Yota美味しい食べ物も沢山ありました。oishii tabemono mo takusan arimashita.There was also a lot of delicious food.
- 陽葵 Himari陽太君、また行きましょうね。youta-kun, mata ikimashou ne.Let's go again, Youta.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “much” translations and entries 沢山, 多い, 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.
