1.
many people, large number of people
A crowd or large group of people.
大勢の人が来た。
Many people came.
大勢で行きましょう。
Let's go with a large group.
駅に大勢の人がいた。
There were many people at the station.
大勢 refers specifically to a large number of people.
IMPORTANT RESTRICTION:
大勢 can ONLY be used for people, never for objects or animals.
- ✓ 大勢の人: many people
- ✗ 大勢の本: (incorrect - use 多くの本)
- ✗ 大勢の猫: (incorrect - use たくさんの猫)
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 大勢の人: many people
- 大勢で: with a large group, in large numbers
- 大勢集まる: to gather in large numbers
- 大勢の観客: a large audience
- 大勢の参加者: many participants
ALTERNATIVES FOR 'MANY':
- 多くの: many (general, formal)
- たくさんの: many, lots of (general, casual)
- 数多くの: numerous (formal)
- 大量の: large quantity (for things)
READING NOTE:
The reading is おおぜい, not だいせい. This is an irregular reading.