複数(ふくすう)

ふくすう
noun
plural, multiple, more than one
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).
複数(ふくすう)の候補(こうほ)から選(えら)ぶ。
Choose from multiple candidates.
英語(えいご)では名詞(めいし)に単数(たんすう)と複数(ふくすう)の区別(くべつ)がある。
In English, nouns have a distinction between singular and plural.
複数(ふくすう)の目撃者(もくげきしゃ)が同(おな)じ証言(しょうげん)をした。
Multiple witnesses gave the same testimony.

USAGE:
複数(ふくすう) is commonly used as a pre-noun modifier: 複数(ふくすう)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(ふくすう)の人(ひと): multiple people
  • 複数(ふくすう)形(けい): plural form (grammar)
  • 複数(ふくすう)回(かい): multiple times
  • 複数(ふくすう)の選択肢(せんたくし): multiple options
  • 単数(たんすう)・複数(ふくすう): singular and plural

SIMILAR WORDS:
複数(ふくすう) is somewhat formal. In casual speech, 何人(なんにん)か (some people), いくつか (some, several), or 数(すう)〜 (several ~) are more natural. 多数(たすう) (majority, many) implies a larger quantity than 複数(ふくすう).

general
Added 2026.2.28 12:13
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