Diese Seite in deiner Sprache
English فارسی العربية Español Français 日本語 한국어 Português 中文 हिन्दी
B1 adjective 9 Min. Lesezeit

великий

Of large size or intense quality; eminent

At the A1 level, you should focus on the most practical use of 'великий': its short form used to describe clothes that are too big. You don't need to worry about historical 'greatness' yet. Just remember that if you go to a shop and the shirt is too large, you say 'Она мне велика.' You might also see 'Великий Новгород' on a map, which is just the name of a famous city. At this stage, treat 'велик/велика' as a specialized word for 'too big' in the context of fitting. Avoid using the full form 'великий' in your own sentences for now, as 'большой' is almost always what you mean when you want to say 'big.' Focus on the basic gender agreement: велик (masculine), велика (feminine), велико (neuter), велики (plural). This will help you survive a shopping trip in Russia.
Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung
At the A2 level, you can start using 'великий' in its more famous sense: to describe very important people or historical figures. You will likely encounter phrases like 'Пётр Великий' (Peter the Great) in basic history texts or 'великий поэт' when talking about Alexander Pushkin. You should understand that this word is 'stronger' than 'хороший' (good) or 'известный' (famous). It implies a level of respect and historical weight. You should also be comfortable using the short form with the dative case: 'Этот костюм мне велик' (This suit is too big for me). You are starting to see the difference between 'большой' (physically large) and 'великий' (historically or qualitatively great). Practice identifying which one to use based on whether you are talking about a physical object or a person's legacy.
Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung
At the B1 level, you should be able to use 'великий' to describe abstract concepts and intense qualities. You will see it in phrases like 'великое значение' (great importance) or 'великая радость' (great joy). You should understand that 'великий' often carries a formal or literary tone. If you use it in casual conversation, it might sound like you are being very dramatic or poetic. You should also be aware of common set phrases, such as 'Великая Отечественная война' (The Great Patriotic War, the Russian term for WWII). At this level, you should start noticing how authors use 'великий' to elevate the tone of their writing. You should also be careful with word order and ensuring that the adjective agrees perfectly with the noun in all six Russian cases, as this word is common in formal writing where grammatical precision is expected.
At the B2 level, you are expected to understand the nuance between 'великий' and its many synonyms like 'выдающийся,' 'значительный,' and 'огромный.' You should be able to explain why Peter the Great is 'Великий' and not just 'Большой.' You will encounter the word in more complex grammatical structures, such as within participial constructions or as part of complex idioms like 'от великого до смешного один шаг.' You should also be familiar with its use in religious contexts (e.g., 'Великий пост') and how that reflects the word's deeper cultural roots. Your use of the short form should be flawless, including the correct stress shifts. You might also start using 'великий' ironically in speech to mock something that is trying too hard to be important but fails.
Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung
At the C1 level, you should have a deep appreciation for the stylistic power of 'великий.' You will encounter it in 19th-century literature and philosophical texts where it is used to discuss 'the great questions of existence' (великие вопросы бытия). You should be able to distinguish between the archaic and modern uses of the word. You will also study how 'великий' is used in the 'high style' (высокий штиль) of Russian rhetoric. You should be able to use the word in academic essays to discuss the 'great contributions' of scientists or artists. At this level, you should also be familiar with the word's etymology and its relationship to other words like 'вельможа' (nobleman) or 'величие' (greatness/majesty). Your understanding should extend to the subtle emotional coloring the word brings to a sentence, often evoking a sense of national pride or spiritual depth.
Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung
At the C2 level, you have mastered 'великий' in all its forms, registers, and historical layers. You can analyze its use in the poetry of Derzhavin or the prose of Gogol, noting how the word's meaning has shifted or stayed constant over centuries. You are comfortable with rare or archaic expressions involving the word. You can use it with perfect precision in any context, from a casual joke about oversized shoes to a profound philosophical treatise on the nature of greatness. You understand the political and ideological weight the word has carried in different eras of Russian history, especially in the context of the 'Great Russian Language' (великий и могучий русский язык). You can engage in debates about what constitutes 'greatness' in a Russian cultural context, using the word and its derivatives with native-level nuance and sophistication.
Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung
Beispiele

великий in 30 Sekunden

  • Великий primarily means 'great' in terms of significance, genius, or historical impact, such as in the name 'Peter the Great'.
  • In everyday contexts, its short forms (велик, велика, велики) are used to say that clothing or objects are 'too big' for someone.
  • It should not be confused with 'большой', which is the standard word for physical size without the connotation of greatness.
  • The word is common in formal, literary, and religious contexts, often appearing in titles of historical events and religious periods.

The Russian adjective великий is a multifaceted word that English speakers often find intriguing because it straddles the line between physical dimensions and abstract significance. In its most fundamental sense, it translates to 'great' or 'grand.' However, unlike the English word 'big' (which is usually большой), великий is reserved for things that possess a certain majesty, historical importance, or exceptional quality. When you call someone a великий человек, you are not commenting on their height or weight; you are acknowledging their genius, their impact on history, or their moral stature. This word is the standard epithet for historical figures such as Пётр Великий (Peter the Great) or Екатерина Великая (Catherine the Great).

Eminence and Quality
In contexts of quality, it denotes something that is unsurpassed or of the highest order. For example, 'великий поэт' refers to a poet of supreme talent like Pushkin.
Physical Size and Fit
In a more mundane, everyday context, the short form of the adjective (велик, велика, велико, велики) is used to describe clothing or items that are 'too big' or 'oversized' for a specific person. If you try on a jacket and it hangs off your shoulders, you would say, 'Этот пиджак мне велик.'

Россия — страна с великой историей и культурой.

Translation: Russia is a country with a great history and culture.

One must be careful not to use великий when a simple большой (big) will do. You wouldn't call a large house a великий дом unless it was a palace of immense architectural and historical significance. Using it for a standard suburban home would sound ironically dramatic or simply incorrect. It is a word of high register, often found in literature, political speeches, and historical texts. It evokes a sense of awe and respect. For instance, the 'Great Silk Road' is known as Великий шёлковый путь. Here, the word captures the vastness of the geography alongside the monumental importance of the trade route itself.

Его великий ум поражал современников.

Translation: His great mind amazed his contemporaries.

Furthermore, the word appears in several fixed religious and cultural titles. Великий пост is the Russian term for Great Lent, the major fasting period before Easter. In this context, the word signifies the spiritual weight and length of the fast. It is also used in the name of one of Russia's oldest cities, Великий Новгород, to distinguish its historical prominence from other towns with similar names. Understanding this word requires an appreciation for Russian history and the way the language distinguishes between the mundane and the extraordinary.

Grammatically, великий functions as a standard hard-stem adjective. It must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun it modifies. However, the most critical grammatical nuance for learners is the frequent use of its short forms: велик (masculine), велика (feminine), велико (neuter), and велики (plural). These short forms are predominantly used as predicates to indicate that something is 'too large' for a specific person or purpose, often used with the dative case to indicate who the item is too large for.

Full Form Usage
Typically used as an attribute before the noun: 'великий учёный' (a great scientist). It follows the standard declension pattern of adjectives ending in -ий.
Short Form Usage
Used after the noun or as the main predicate: 'Эти сапоги мне велики' (These boots are too big for me). Note the shift in meaning from 'great' to 'oversized'.

Книга имела великий успех у публики.

Translation: The book had a great success with the public.

When declining the full form, keep in mind the stress remains on the second syllable: велИкий, велИкого, велИкому. In the plural, it becomes велИкие. This consistency makes it relatively easy to use once you master the basic adjective endings. In contrast, the short form stress can shift: велИк (masc.), великА (fem.), велИко (neut.), великИ (plur.). This stress shift in the feminine and plural forms is a common feature of Russian short adjectives and is crucial for sounding natural.

Шляпа была ей немного велика.

Translation: The hat was a bit too big for her.

In higher-level academic or literary Russian, великий can also modify abstract nouns to indicate intensity. You might encounter phrases like великое множество (a great multitude) or с великим трудом (with great difficulty). In these cases, it functions as an intensifier, similar to 'great' in English. However, in modern spoken Russian, words like огромный (huge) or большой (big) are more common for intensity, while великий remains reserved for situations requiring a more formal or profound tone. Mastering the balance between the full and short forms is the key to using this word like a native speaker.

You will encounter великий in several distinct environments, each providing a different shade of meaning. The most prestigious of these is historical and biographical discourse. Every Russian schoolchild learns about Пётр Великий. In museums, documentaries, and history books, the word is ubiquitous as a marker of historical significance. It is also a staple of classical literature. When reading Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, or Pushkin, you will find великий used to describe profound emotions, monumental events, or the 'great Russian soul' (великая русская душа).

News and Politics
In patriotic speeches or news broadcasts regarding national achievements, 'великая держава' (great power) is a common phrase used to describe Russia's status on the world stage.
Everyday Shopping
In a clothing store fitting room, you will hear the short form constantly. A customer might tell the assistant, 'Дайте размер поменьше, эти брюки мне велики' (Give me a smaller size; these pants are too big for me).

«Я памятник себе воздвиг нерукотворный, к нему не зарастёт тропа народная...» — Пушкин часто писал о великих вещах.

Translation: Pushkin often wrote about great things in his poetry.

Religious contexts also frequently employ this word. During the liturgical year of the Russian Orthodox Church, many feast days and periods are preceded by the adjective 'Great.' The 'Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete' or the 'Great Saturday' before Easter are central to the religious experience. In these settings, the word conveys a sense of sacredness and liturgical importance. It is also used in the titles of saints, such as Василий Великий (Basil the Great).

Это было великое открытие для всей науки.

Translation: It was a great discovery for all of science.

Finally, the word is found in idioms and proverbs that are still used today. A famous saying, 'От великого до смешного один шаг' (From the sublime to the ridiculous is but a step), is often attributed to Napoleon but is widely used in Russian to describe a sudden fall from grace or a situation that has become absurd. In summary, you hear this word when the stakes are high, whether those stakes are historical, spiritual, or simply the fit of a new pair of jeans.

One of the most frequent errors for English speakers is the over-application of великий where большой (big) is the correct choice. English uses 'great' and 'big' somewhat interchangeably in certain contexts (e.g., 'a big success' vs. 'a great success'), but Russian is more rigid. Using великий for a physical object that is simply large in size—like a big dog or a big box—is a classic mistake. You would say большая собака, not великая собака, unless that dog had saved a city and had a statue built in its honor.

Confusing Physical Size and Eminence
Mistake: 'У него великий дом.' (He has a great house - sounds like a monument). Correct: 'У него большой дом.' (He has a big house).
Misusing Short Forms
Mistake: Using 'велик' to mean 'eminent' in a short form sentence. 'Этот поэт велик.' This is actually correct in a literary sense, but in a modern store, it would mean 'This poet is too big (in physical size).' Context is key.

Ошибка: «Я купил великий арбуз».

Translation: Error: "I bought a great watermelon" (unless it's a legendary watermelon).

Another mistake involves the dative case with the short form. Learners often forget that when saying something is 'too big for someone,' the 'someone' must be in the dative case. For example, 'Эти туфли мне велики' (These shoes are too big FOR ME). Beginners might try to use the preposition для (for) + genitive, which is less common and sounds less natural than the simple dative. Additionally, the distinction between великий and огромный (huge) is important. Огромный is strictly about massive physical or quantitative scale, while великий implies a qualitative or historical dimension.

Не путайте: большой (размер) и великий (значимость).

Translation: Don't confuse: big (size) and great (significance).

Finally, watch out for the stress! In the feminine short form велика, the stress is on the last syllable. Saying вЕлика (which sounds like the colloquial word for 'bicycle' - велик) will cause confusion. Ensuring the stress is correct is vital for being understood, especially since велик is a very common slang term for a bike in Russia. Always emphasize the 'а' at the end when describing a dress that is too large: 'Эта юбка мне великА.'

To enrich your Russian vocabulary, it is helpful to look at words that share a semantic field with великий. Depending on the context—whether you're talking about size, fame, or intensity—there are several alternatives that might be more precise. For example, if you want to emphasize that someone is famous, you might use знаменитый or известный. If you want to describe something massive in size, огромный or колоссальный are excellent choices.

Выдающийся (Outstanding)
Used for people who stand out in their field. 'Выдающийся учёный' (An outstanding scientist). It is less 'epic' than 'великий' but very professional.
Грандиозный (Grandiose/Grand)
Used for projects, plans, or events that are massive in scale. 'Грандиозный план' (A grand plan).
Крупный (Large/Major)
Often used for business or physical objects. 'Крупный рогатый скот' (Cattle) or 'крупный план' (close-up shot in film).

Этот проект имеет огромное значение для города.

Translation: This project has huge significance for the city.

When comparing великий with значительный (significant), the former is much stronger. A 'significant contribution' (значительный вклад) is good, but a 'great contribution' (великий вклад) is legendary. In literature, you might see величественный (majestic), which describes the appearance of something grand, like a mountain range or a cathedral. While великий describes the essence, величественный describes the visual impression.

Он был не просто талантливым, а выдающимся мастером.

Translation: He was not just talented, but an outstanding master.

In summary, choose your 'greatness' word carefully. If it's about physical size, stick to большой or огромный. If it's about a person's achievements, великий or выдающийся are your best bets. If it's about the visual beauty of something large, величественный is the way to go. By diversifying your use of these synonyms, you will sound more like a native speaker and be able to express finer shades of meaning in your Russian conversations and writing.

Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung

Beispiele nach Niveau

1

Этот свитер мне велик.

This sweater is too big for me.

Short form masculine 'велик' + dative 'мне'.

2

Эти туфли ей велики.

These shoes are too big for her.

Short form plural 'велики' + dative 'ей'.

3

Куртка была слишком велика.

The jacket was too big.

Short form feminine 'велика' used as a predicate.

4

Пальто мне немного велико.

The coat is a bit too big for me.

Short form neuter 'велико' + dative 'мне'.

5

Великий Новгород — красивый город.

Veliky Novgorod is a beautiful city.

Proper name using the full form.

6

Мой брат большой, а я маленький.

My brother is big, and I am small.

Note: Use 'большой' for physical size, not 'великий'.

7

Эта кепка тебе велика?

Is this cap too big for you?

Question with short form feminine 'велика'.

8

Брюки были очень велики.

The pants were very big.

Short form plural 'велики'.

1

Пётр Первый — великий царь.

Peter the First is a great tsar.

Full form masculine 'великий' describing a person's status.

2

Пушкин — великий русский поэт.

Pushkin is a great Russian poet.

Full form masculine 'великий' + noun.

3

Это был великий день для нас.

It was a great day for us.

Full form masculine 'великий' describing an event.

4

Она хочет стать великой актрисой.

She wants to become a great actress.

Instrumental case 'великой актрисой' after the verb 'стать'.

5

Мы читали о великих людях.

We read about great people.

Prepositional plural 'о великих людях'.

6

Это великая тайна.

It is a great secret.

Full form feminine 'великая'.

7

У него была великая цель.

He had a great goal.

Full form feminine 'великая' + 'цель'.

8

Эти джинсы мне не велики, они как раз.

These jeans are not too big for me; they fit perfectly.

Negative 'не велики' (not too big).

1

Это открытие имеет великое значение.

This discovery has great significance.

Accusative neuter 'великое значение'.

2

Он работал с великим усердием.

He worked with great diligence.

Instrumental masculine 'с великим усердием'.

3

Великая Отечественная война началась в 1941 году.

The Great Patriotic War began in 1941.

Proper historical term.

4

В лесу было великое множество грибов.

There was a great multitude of mushrooms in the forest.

Idiomatic use of 'великое множество'.

5

Мы испытывали великую радость.

We felt great joy.

Accusative feminine 'великую радость'.

6

Это был человек великой души.

He was a person of a great soul.

Genitive feminine 'великой души'.

7

Великий пост — время для молитвы.

Great Lent is a time for prayer.

Religious term.

8

Его слова имели великую силу.

His words had great power.

Accusative feminine 'великую силу'.

1

От великого до смешного — один шаг.

From the sublime to the ridiculous is but a step.

Famous idiom using genitive neuter 'от великого'.

2

Он обладал великим талантом убеждения.

He possessed a great talent for persuasion.

Instrumental masculine 'великим талантом'.

3

Эта реформа принесла великие перемены.

This reform brought great changes.

Accusative plural 'великие перемены'.

4

Они верили в своё великое будущее.

They believed in their great future.

Accusative neuter 'в своё великое будущее'.

5

Великий шёлковый путь соединял Восток и Запад.

The Great Silk Road connected the East and the West.

Proper geographical/historical term.

6

Он вошёл в историю как великий реформатор.

He went down in history as a great reformer.

Nominative masculine 'великий реформатор'.

7

Это была великая честь для меня.

It was a great honor for me.

Full form feminine 'великая честь'.

8

Несмотря на великие трудности, мы победили.

Despite great difficulties, we won.

Accusative plural after 'несмотря на'.

1

Его творчество пропитано великим гуманизмом.

His work is imbued with great humanism.

Instrumental masculine 'великим гуманизмом'.

2

Великие вопросы бытия всегда волновали философов.

The great questions of existence have always troubled philosophers.

Nominative plural 'великие вопросы'.

3

Он осознавал всю великую ответственность своего выбора.

He realized all the great responsibility of his choice.

Accusative feminine 'великую ответственность'.

4

Это был акт великого самопожертвования.

It was an act of great self-sacrifice.

Genitive neuter 'великого самопожертвования'.

5

В его словах слышалось великое презрение.

A great contempt was heard in his words.

Nominative neuter 'великое презрение'.

6

Великий и могучий русский язык — наше наследие.

The great and mighty Russian language is our heritage.

Traditional epithet for the Russian language.

7

Они жили в эпоху великих географических открытий.

They lived in the era of great geographical discoveries.

Genitive plural 'великих открытий'.

8

Его величие было неоспоримым.

His greatness was indisputable.

Noun derivative 'величие'.

1

Диалектика великого и малого в его прозе поражает.

The dialectic of the great and the small in his prose is striking.

Substantivized adjectives in the genitive.

2

Он стремился к великому синтезу науки и искусства.

He sought a great synthesis of science and art.

Dative masculine 'к великому синтезу'.

3

Эта трагедия обнажила великую пустоту его жизни.

This tragedy exposed the great emptiness of his life.

Accusative feminine 'великую пустоту'.

4

В этом жесте проявилось великое благородство.

Great nobility was revealed in this gesture.

Nominative neuter 'великое благородство'.

5

Он был апологетом великой идеи всеобщего братства.

He was an apologist for the great idea of universal brotherhood.

Genitive feminine 'великой идеи'.

6

Великое безмолвие пустыни пугало путешественников.

The great silence of the desert frightened the travelers.

Nominative neuter 'великое безмолвие'.

7

Его жизнь была посвящена служению великому делу.

His life was dedicated to serving a great cause.

Dative neuter 'великому делу'.

8

Мы стоим на пороге великих свершений.

We stand on the threshold of great achievements.

Genitive plural 'великих свершений'.

Häufige Kollokationen

великий человек
великое значение
великая держава
великое множество
великий пост
Registriere dich kostenlos, um alle Beispiele zu sehen

Verwandte Inhalte

Dieses Wort in anderen Sprachen

великий Ukrainian
War das hilfreich?

Kommentare (0)

Zum Kommentieren Anmelden
Noch keine Kommentare. Sei der Erste, der seine Gedanken teilt!