多

duō

much, many; more than, over

Meaning

Primary sense: "many" or "much."
Philosophical nuance: In early Daoist contexts, often denotes excess, superfluity, or complexity. When contrasted with 一 (one), it can refer to the fragmented or overly intricate rather than a specific number.
Comparison: Functions as "more" when juxtaposed with another term, with the comparative "than" implied by context.

Grammar and usage

Adverb of Frequency: When preceding a verb, frequently functions as "often" or "frequently."
Numerical Modifier: When placed immediately after a numeral (e.g., 十多), indicates approximation or excess ("more than," "plus").

Distinctions

多 vs. 衆 (zhòng): While both indicate "many," 多 is the general quantifier for volume or frequency, whereas 衆 specifically denotes a multitude of people or a crowd.

Decontextualized translator aid. This page describes plausible lexical range; it does not choose what the glyph means in a particular passage.