大勢(おおぜい)

大勢(おおぜい) refers specifically to a large number of people.

Important restriction

大勢(おおぜい) can ONLY be used for people, never for objects or animals.

• ✓ 大勢(おおぜい)の人(ひと): many people
• ✗ 大勢(おおぜい)の本(ほん): (incorrect - use 多(おお)くの本(ほん))
• ✗ 大勢(おおぜい)の猫(ねこ): (incorrect - use たくさんの猫(ねこ))

Common patterns

• 大勢(おおぜい)の人(ひと): many people
• 大勢(おおぜい)で: with a large group, in large numbers
• 大勢(おおぜい)集(あつ)まる: to gather in large numbers
• 大勢(おおぜい)の観客(かんきゃく): a large audience
• 大勢(おおぜい)の参加者(さんかしゃ): many participants

Alternatives for 'MANY'

• 多(おお)くの: many (general, formal)
• たくさんの: many, lots of (general, casual)
• 数多(かずおお)くの: numerous (formal)
• 大量(たいりょう)の: large quantity (for things)

Pronunciation

The reading is おおぜい, not だいせい. This is an irregular reading.