多 means “many, numerous”

おおい · ooi

Also: frequent, much

Kun'yomi (Japanese reading)

おおい, まさに, まさる

On'yomi (Chinese reading)

タ

JLPT N5 · Taught in grade 2 · 6 strokes

The story

Two moons stacked: when there are many of something, the sky fills like a night full of moons.

Used in 多数 (tasuu, majority) and 多い (ooi, there are many)

Its parts

• 夕 Evening · Top
• 夕 Evening · Bottom

Two evenings (夕夕) stacked: many, much

Words with 多

• 多数 (たすう, tasuu): majority / many
• 多人数 (たにんずう, taninzuu): a large number of people
• 多少 (たしょう, tashou): somewhat / a little

Kanji that look like 多

• 夕 (evening): 多 stacks two 夕: many evenings, many things

More from Ancient Counting

• 一 one
• 二 two
• 三 three
• 四 four
• 五 five
• 六 six
• 七 seven
• 八 eight
• 九 nine
• 十 ten
• 百 hundred
• 千 thousand

Learn 多 and more kanji free on Fuji Learning · All kanji

Readings from KANJIDIC2, © EDRDG, CC BY-SA.