1.
plural, multiple, more than one
Refers to a quantity of two or more. Used both as a grammatical term (plural number) and in everyday language to mean 'multiple' or 'several.' The opposite of 単数 (singular).
Usage
複数 is commonly used as a pre-noun modifier: 複数の + noun. In grammar, it refers to the plural form. In everyday use, it is a slightly formal way to say "multiple" or "several." Japanese nouns do not have grammatical plural forms, so this concept is mainly encountered when learning other languages.
Common collocations
- 複数の人: multiple people
- 複数形: plural form (grammar)
- 複数回: multiple times
- 複数の選択肢: multiple options
- 単数・複数: singular and plural
Similar words
複数 is somewhat formal. In casual speech, 何人か (some people), いくつか (some, several), or 数〜 (several ~) are more natural. 多数 (majority, many) implies a larger quantity than 複数.