多い

• Reading: おおい
• Romaji: ooi
• Kanji breakdown: 多 (oo/ta) — many, much, numerous
• Pronunciation: /o.o.i/

Meaning

Many; numerous; a lot. Describes a large quantity or number.

An i-adjective expressing large quantity. Unlike most i-adjectives, 多い is rarely used directly before a noun (多い人 sounds unnatural). Instead, use patterns like 人が多い or たくさんの人. The antonym is 少ない (few). Conjugates regularly: 多くない, 多かった, 多くなかった.

Examples

1. 東京は人が多いです。 There are a lot of people in Tokyo.
2. 今年は雨の日が多かったです。 There were many rainy days this year.
3. 週末は人が多くて大変です。 It's hectic on weekends because there are so many people.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, descriptions, statistics

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Old Japanese. The kanji 多 is composed of two 夕 (evening) characters stacked, originally suggesting an accumulation or repetition — hence 'many.'

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal