Explanation at your level:
Hello! Today we learn 大きい (ōkii). This word means big. Like a big dog! Or a big ball! You can say: 大きい犬 (ōkii inu). That means 'big dog'. You can also say: これは大きい (Kore wa ōkii). This means 'This is big'. It's easy! Use it when you see something big!
Let's talk about 大きい (ōkii), which means 'big' or 'large'. You use it to describe the size of things. For example, 大きい公園 (ōkii kōen) means 'a big park'. You can also use it for things that are not physical, like a 大きい声 (ōkii koe), which is a 'loud voice'. Remember, it's an adjective, so it comes before the noun it describes. You can also say something *is* big by putting the noun first, then wa, then ōkii. For example, この本は大きい (Kono hon wa ōkii) means 'This book is big'.
The Japanese adjective 大きい (ōkii) is fundamental for describing size, meaning 'big' or 'large'. It's versatile, extending beyond physical dimensions to concepts like importance or volume. For instance, 大きい音 (ōkii oto) means 'a loud sound', and 大きい仕事 (ōkii shigoto) can refer to a 'large project' or 'important job'.
As an i-adjective, 大きい directly precedes the noun it modifies: 大きいテレビ (ōkii terebi) - 'a big TV'. When used predicatively (e.g., 'The house is big'), the structure is typically [Noun] + は (wa) + 大きい (ōkii). For example, 家は大きい (Ie wa ōkii). You can also connect it to other clauses using the -く (-ku) form: 大きいですが、安いです (Ōkii desu ga, yasui desu) - 'It's big, but it's cheap'.
大きい (ōkii) is a core Japanese adjective signifying 'large', 'big', or 'great'. Its application spans physical dimensions (e.g., 大きい建物 - ōkii tatemono, 'a large building') to abstract qualities like significance (大きい決断 - ōkii ketsudan, 'a major decision') or intensity (大きい声 - ōkii koe, 'a loud voice'). It's an i-adjective, allowing direct modification of nouns.
Context is key to understanding nuance. While generally meaning 'big', in certain expressions like 大は小を兼ねる (Dai wa shō o kaneru), it implies versatility. The adverbial form, 大きく (ōkiku), is used to modify verbs, as in 大きく変わる (ōkiku kawaru) - 'to change significantly'. Understanding its use in collocations like 大金持ち (ōganemochi - very rich) or 大掃除 (ōsōji - big cleanup) adds depth to your comprehension.
The adjective 大きい (ōkii) serves as the primary descriptor for 'large', 'big', and 'great' in Japanese. Beyond its literal sense of physical size (e.g., 大きい山 - ōkii yama, 'a big mountain'), it carries significant weight in denoting importance, scope, or magnitude. Consider its use in abstract contexts: 大きい責任 (ōkii sekinin), meaning 'a great responsibility', or 大きい影響力 (ōkii eikyōryoku), signifying 'considerable influence'.
The i-adjective nature of 大きい facilitates direct noun modification. Its grammatical flexibility extends to the adverbial form 大きく (ōkiku), used for describing the manner or extent of an action (e.g., 大きく貢献する - ōkiku kōken suru, 'to contribute significantly'). Furthermore, 大きい is a component in numerous set phrases and idioms, where its meaning can be idiomatic rather than literal, such as in 大違い (ōchigai), meaning 'a huge difference' or 'mistake', underscoring the word's semantic breadth and cultural embedding.
大きい (ōkii), a fundamental Japanese i-adjective, denotes 'large', 'big', 'great', and 'significant'. Its semantic range is remarkably broad, encompassing not only physical dimensions but also abstract concepts of magnitude, importance, intensity, and scope. Examples include 大きい夢 (ōkii yume) - 'a big dream', 大きい災害 (ōkii saigai) - 'a major disaster', and 大きい音量 (ōkii onryō) - 'a high volume'.
Grammatically, its i-adjective status allows direct prenominal modification. The adverbial form, 大きく (ōkiku), modifies verbs, indicating a significant degree or manner (e.g., 大きく発展する - ōkiku hatten suru, 'to develop significantly'). Its historical persistence and integration into numerous compounds and set phrases, such as 大画面 (ōgata - large screen) or the proverb 大は小を兼ねる (Dai wa shō o kaneru), attest to its deep cultural and linguistic significance. Understanding the subtle nuances of 大きい in various contexts, from everyday descriptions to formal pronouncements and idiomatic expressions, is crucial for advanced fluency.
Word in 30 Seconds
- 大きい (ōkii) means 'big' or 'large'.
- It's a versatile adjective used for physical size and abstract concepts.
- It's an i-adjective, directly modifying nouns or used predicatively.
- The adverbial form is 大きく (ōkiku), meaning 'greatly'.
Hey there! Let's dive into the super useful Japanese word 大きい (ōkii). You'll hear this one all the time! Basically, it means big or large. Think of a giant pizza, a huge elephant, or even a really important event – you can use 大きい for all of them!
It's not just about physical size, though. 大きい can also describe things that are great in importance, scope, or intensity. For example, a big decision or a loud sound can also be described as 大きい. It's a really versatile word that helps you express a lot of different ideas about size and significance. We'll explore how it works and when to use it!
The word 大きい (ōkii) has a long history in the Japanese language. Its roots can be traced back to ancient forms of Japanese. While the exact etymology is debated among scholars, it's believed to have evolved from older terms related to size and expansion. Some linguists suggest a connection to words describing something that 'grows' or 'expands' outwards, which makes sense for something large.
Historically, 大きい has always been a core adjective in describing the physical world and abstract concepts. Unlike many loanwords, 大きい is a native Japanese word (wago) that has remained central to the language for centuries. Its consistent usage across different historical periods, from classical literature to modern Japanese, highlights its fundamental importance. It's a word that has grown with the language itself, much like the concept it represents!
大きい (ōkii) is incredibly common and pops up in countless everyday situations. You'll use it to describe physical objects: 大きい家 (ōkii ie) - a big house, 大きい犬 (ōkii inu) - a big dog. It's also used for abstract concepts: 大きい声 (ōkii koe) - a loud voice, 大きい問題 (ōkii mondai) - a big problem. Remember, it's an i-adjective, so it can directly modify nouns.
When talking about importance or significance, 大きい is your go-to: 大きい成功 (ōkii seikō) - a big success, 大きい影響 (ōkii eikyō) - a big influence. In casual conversation, you might hear it used for emphasis, like 「それは大きいね！」 (Sore wa ōkii ne!) - 'Wow, that's big!'. For more formal settings, it remains the standard term for 'large' or 'significant'. Its versatility makes it a must-know for anyone learning Japanese!
While 大きい (ōkii) is straightforward, it appears in several common expressions that add color to the language. These phrases often extend the basic meaning of 'big' into more nuanced territory.
- 大は小を兼ねる (Dai wa shō o kaneru): This proverb literally means 'The big can do the job of the small.' It suggests that a larger option is often more versatile and can cover smaller needs too. Example: A large bottle of water can be used for drinking and also for washing hands, so 大は小を兼ねる.
- 大金持ち (Ōganemochi): This means 'very rich' or 'a wealthy person.' The 'Ō' prefix here emphasizes the 'greatness' of the wealth. Example: He became a 大金持ち after his business succeeded.
- 大声で叫ぶ (Ōgoe de sakebu): To shout loudly. This uses 大きい (ōkii) in its common form 大声 (ōgoe) to describe a loud voice used for shouting. Example: She had to 大声で叫ぶ to be heard over the noise.
- 大掃除 (Ōsōji): A big cleanup or spring cleaning. This refers to a thorough, large-scale cleaning effort. Example: We do 大掃除 at the end of the year.
- 大違い (Ōchigai): A big difference; a huge mistake. It emphasizes a significant discrepancy. Example: Thinking he was a friend was a 大違い.
大きい (ōkii) is an i-adjective, which means it ends with the hiragana 'い' (i). This is important because it affects how it connects with other words. As an i-adjective, it can directly modify a noun: 大きい車 (ōkii kuruma) - a big car. To make it a predicate (like 'is big'), you just use it as is: 車が大きい (kuruma ga ōkii) - The car is big.
When you want to connect it to another adjective or verb, you change the 'い' to 'く' (ku): 大きいけれど、安い (ōkii keredo, yasui) - It's big, but it's cheap. To turn it into an adverb, you also change 'い' to 'く': 大きく言う (ōkiku iu) - to say something in a big way (e.g., exaggerate). The pronunciation is straightforward: ō-ki-i. The 'ō' is a long 'o' sound, similar to the 'o' in 'go'.
Fun Fact
The kanji 大 (dai/ō) used in compounds related to 'big' is one of the simplest and most fundamental kanji, visually representing something large.
Pronunciation Guide
The 'ō' is a long 'o' sound, similar to the 'o' in 'go'. The 'i' at the end is pronounced clearly.
Similar to the UK pronunciation, with a long 'o' sound. Some might pronounce the final 'i' slightly shorter.
Common Errors
- Pronouncing 'ō' as a short 'o' sound.
- Not emphasizing the length of the 'ō' sound.
- Pronouncing the final 'i' too weakly.
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read in basic contexts, requires attention to nuance in advanced usage.
Easy to use correctly in simple sentences, harder to use precisely in complex or idiomatic expressions.
Easy to pronounce and use in basic conversation, requires practice for natural flow and idiomatic use.
Easy to understand in simple contexts, requires familiarity with collocations and nuances for advanced comprehension.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
I-Adjectives
大きい (ōkii) is an i-adjective.
Adverbial Form of Adjectives
大きい becomes 大きく (ōkiku) when modifying verbs.
Using Particles は and が
車は大きい (Kuruma wa ōkii) vs. 大きい車がある (Ōkii kuruma ga aru).
Examples by Level
これは大きいりんごです。
This / big / apple / is.
大きい modifies りんご.
大きい犬がいます。
Big / dog / exists.
大きい modifies 犬.
大きい声で話してください。
Big / voice / with / please speak.
大きい describes the voice.
あの山は大きい。
That / mountain / is big.
大きい is used predicatively.
大きいかばんがほしいです。
Big / bag / want.
大きい modifies かばん.
大きいケーキを食べました。
Big / cake / ate.
大きい modifies ケーキ.
大きい窓があります。
Big / window / exists.
大きい modifies 窓.
それは大きい問題です。
That / big / problem / is.
大きい modifies 問題.
この公園はとても大きいです。
This / park / very / is big.
Adverb 'totemo' intensifies 'ōkii'.
彼は大きい車を持っています。
He / big / car / has.
大きい modifies 車.
大きい声で話すと、みんなに聞こえます。
Big voice / with / if speak, / everyone / to / can hear.
大きい describes the voice.
大きい都市は人が多いです。
Big / city / people / many / are.
大きい modifies 都市.
大きいかばんにはたくさん入ります。
Big / bag / in / many / fit.
大きい modifies かばん.
大きい決断をしなければなりませんでした。
Big / decision / must do.
大きい modifies 決断 (decision).
大きい音にびっくりしました。
Big / sound / by / was surprised.
大きい modifies 音 (sound).
大きい建物が新しく建ちました。
Big / building / newly / was built.
大きい modifies 建物.
このプロジェクトは非常に大きいので、多くのリソースが必要です。
This / project / very / big / because, / many / resources / are needed.
大きい used for abstract scale.
彼は大きい声で冗談を言った。
He / big voice / with / joke / said.
大きい modifies 声 (voice).
大きい失敗でしたが、そこから多くを学びました。
Big / failure / but, / from there / much / learned.
大きい modifies 失敗 (failure).
大きい犬は小さい犬より力が強い。
Big / dog / than small / dog / strength / is strong.
Comparison using 大きい and 小さい.
大きい目標を達成するために、毎日努力しています。
Big / goal / to achieve / in order to, / every day / am working hard.
大きい modifies 目標 (goal).
大きい通りを渡るときは、左右を確認してください。
Big / street / cross / when, / left and right / please check.
大きい modifies 通り (street).
大きい地震があったので、心配しています。
Big / earthquake / happened / because, / worried / am.
大きい modifies 地震 (earthquake).
大きい問題は、資金が足りないことです。
Big / problem / is, / funds / not enough / is.
大きい modifies 問題 (problem).
その作家は、人間の心理を大きく描くことで知られています。
That / author / human / psychology / greatly / depicts / by / is known.
大きく is the adverbial form, modifying 描く (depict).
都市開発が進み、街の景観が大きく変わりました。
Urban development / progresses, / city's / landscape / greatly / changed.
大きく modifies 変わりました (changed).
彼は大金持ちになったが、その生活は意外に質素だ。
He / great wealth person / became, / but / that / life / surprisingly / simple / is.
大金持ち (ōganemochi) is a compound noun meaning 'very rich person'.
この問題は、単に大きいだけでなく、複雑でもある。
This / problem / simply / big / not only, / complex / also / is.
大きい is used with 〜だけでなく (not only...).
新しい技術の導入は、業界に大きな影響を与えた。
New / technology / introduction / industry / big / influence / gave.
大きい modifies 影響 (influence).
彼は自分の意見を大きく主張した。
He / his / opinion / strongly / asserted.
大きく here implies 'strongly' or 'emphatically'.
大きいか小さいかではなく、品質が重要だ。
Big / or / small / or / not, / quality / important / is.
Comparison structure: 大きいか小さいかではなく (not whether big or small).
その事件は社会に大きな波紋を広げた。
That / incident / society / big / ripples / spread.
大きい modifies 波紋 (ripples/repercussions).
彼の芸術は、伝統的な枠組みを大きく超えた革新性を持っている。
His / art / traditional / framework / greatly / exceeded / innovativeness / has.
大きく modifies 超えた (exceeded), emphasizing the degree.
その政治的決断は、国家の将来に計り知れない影響を及ぼすだろう。
That / political / decision / nation's / future / immeasurable / influence / will exert.
While '計り知れない (hakari shirenai)' is used, '大きい影響' is a common alternative.
彼は、自身の経験を基に、大きく成長した人物として語られた。
He / his / experiences / based on, / greatly / grew / as a person / was spoken of.
大きく modifies 成長した (grew), indicating significant personal development.
その文学作品は、人間の存在意義について大きな問いを投げかけている。
That / literary work / human / existence / meaning / about / big / question / is posing.
大きい modifies 問い (question), signifying a profound or fundamental inquiry.
経済格差の拡大は、社会の安定にとって大きな脅威となりうる。
Economic disparity / widening / society's / stability / for / big / threat / can become.
大きい modifies 脅威 (threat), emphasizing its seriousness.
彼女のスピーチは、聴衆の意識を大きく変えるきっかけとなった。
Her / speech / audience's / consciousness / greatly / change / catalyst / became.
大きく modifies 変える (change), indicating a substantial shift in perspective.
この発見は、科学の歴史における大きな転換点と見なされている。
This / discovery / science's / history / in / big / turning point / is regarded as.
大きい modifies 転換点 (turning point), highlighting its historical significance.
彼は、その分野における権威であり、その発言は大きな重みを持つ。
He / that / field / in / authority / is, / his / statement / big / weight / has.
大きい modifies 重み (weight), signifying importance and influence.
その哲学者によれば、人間の理性は宇宙の法則を大きく超越するものではない。
That / philosopher / according to, / human / reason / cosmic / laws / greatly / transcend / is not.
大きく modifies 超越する (transcend), indicating the degree of transcendence (or lack thereof).
彼の芸術的功績は、単に大きいという形容詞では測りきれない深遠さを持つ。
His / artistic achievements / simply / big / adjective / with / cannot be measured / profundity / has.
Critiques the simple use of 'ōkii' for profound artistic merit.
この歴史的文書は、後の時代の思想に計り知れないほど大きな影響を与えた。
This / historical document / later / era's / thought / immeasurably / big / influence / gave.
大きい modifies 影響 (influence), amplified by '計り知れないほど (immeasurably)'.
その言語学者は、方言の変遷における社会言語学的な要因の大きさを強調した。
That / linguist / dialects' / evolution / in / sociolinguistic / factors' / magnitude / emphasized.
大きさ (ōkisa) - the noun form of 'ōkii' - is used here to refer to the 'magnitude' or 'significance'.
現代社会における個人の自由の範囲は、かつて想像されたよりも大きく拡大している。
Modern society / in / individual / freedom / scope / formerly / imagined / than / greatly / expanded / is.
大きく modifies 拡大している (expanded), denoting a significant increase.
彼の演説は、聴衆の感情に大きく訴えかける、弁論術の極致を示していた。
His / speech / audience's / emotions / greatly / appealed to, / rhetoric's / pinnacle / showed.
大きく modifies 訴えかける (appeal to), highlighting the intensity of the emotional connection.
この発見は、科学的パラダイムにおける大きなパラダイムシフトを予感させた。
This / discovery / scientific / paradigm / in / big / paradigm shift / foreshadowed.
大きい modifies パラダイムシフト (paradigm shift), emphasizing its revolutionary nature.
その文学作品は、人間の精神の深淵を大きく覗き見させてくれる。
That / literary work / human / spirit's / abyss / greatly / allows a peek into.
大きく modifies 覗き見させてくれる (allows a peek into), indicating a significant revelation of inner depths.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"大は小を兼ねる (Dai wa shō o kaneru)"
The big can do the job of the small; a larger option is often more versatile.
この大きい鍋は煮物にもスープにも使えるから、大は小を兼ねるね。
proverbial"大金持ち (Ōganemochi)"
A very rich person; wealthy.
彼は宝くじに当たって大金持ちになった。
neutral"大違い (Ōchigai)"
A big difference; a huge mistake or misunderstanding.
君が思っているのと全然違う、大違いだよ。
neutral"大掃除 (Ōsōji)"
A big cleanup; thorough house cleaning, often done seasonally.
年末には家族みんなで大掃除をする習慣がある。
neutral"大声で言う (Ōgoe de iu)"
To say something loudly; to speak out openly.
彼は自分の意見を大声で言った。
neutral"大目に見る (Ōme ni miru)"
To overlook; to forgive; to be lenient.
子供のいたずらは大目に見よう。
neutralEasily Confused
Both describe physical attributes and can sometimes be implied by 'big'.
大きい refers to size, volume, or general magnitude. 長い refers specifically to length or duration.
大きい車 (ōkii kuruma - big car) vs. 長い車 (nagai kuruma - long car, like a limousine). 大きい時間 (ōkii jikan - a long time, abstract) vs. 長い時間 (nagai jikan - a long time, duration).
Both can relate to extent or space.
大きい refers to overall size or volume. 広い refers to width or spaciousness.
大きい部屋 (ōkii heya - a large room, could be big in all dimensions) vs. 広い部屋 (hiroi heya - a spacious room, wide and open).
Both relate to quantity or size.
大きい is an adjective describing size. たくさん is an adverb or noun meaning 'many', 'a lot', or 'much'.
大きい量 (ōkii ryō - large quantity, less common) vs. たくさんの量 (takusan no ryō - a lot of quantity). 大きい (ōkii) describes the item itself, たくさん describes the amount.
大きい can sometimes imply importance.
大きい is primarily about size but can extend to abstract importance. 重要 specifically means 'important' or 'significant' in a non-physical sense.
大きい問題 (ōkii mondai - a big problem, could be size or seriousness) vs. 重要な問題 (jūyō na mondai - an important problem, emphasizing significance).
Sentence Patterns
大きい + Noun
大きい犬がいます。(Ōkii inu ga imasu.) - There is a big dog.
Noun + は + 大きい
この家は大きい。(Kono ie wa ōkii.) - This house is big.
Noun + は + 大きい + です
その車は大きい です。(Sono kuruma wa ōkii desu.) - That car is big.
大きく + Verb
彼は大きく成長した。(Kare wa ōkiku seichō shita.) - He grew significantly.
大きい + Noun + が/は + Verb
大きい声が聞こえた。(Ōkii koe ga kikoeta.) - A loud voice was heard.
Word Family
Nouns
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
While 大きい can imply importance, it's often too general. For instance, 'a big problem' might be better as 深刻な問題 (shinkoku na mondai) if it's serious.
A long road is 長い道 (nagai michi), not 大きい道 (ōkii michi). A long time is 長い時間 (nagai jikan).
Saying 大きいで (ōkii de) or similar is incorrect. For example, 'to change greatly' is 大きく変わる (ōkiku kawaru), not 大きい変わる.
大きい音 (ōkii oto) is 'a loud sound', but うるさい音 (urusai oto) implies an annoying or disruptive loud sound.
Saying 大きいは車 (ōkii wa kuruma) is wrong. It should be 車は大きい (kuruma wa ōkii) - 'The car is big'.
Tips
The 'Ooooh!' Mnemonic
Imagine someone seeing something incredibly BIG and exclaiming 'Ooooh!' The 'Ooooh' sound connects to the 'ō' sound in ōkii, and the exclamation signifies 'big!'
Context is King!
While 大きい means 'big', pay attention to context. Is it physical size (a big house)? Importance (a big decision)? Or intensity (a loud voice)? The surrounding words will clarify the meaning.
Beyond Size
In Japan, 'greatness' (大) can imply importance or seniority. Notice how 大 is used in words like 大統領 (daitōryō - president) or 大先輩 (dai senpai - senior colleague).
Adjective Power
Remember 大きい is an i-adjective. This means it can directly describe a noun (大きい車) or act as a predicate (車が大きい). Easy peasy!
Long 'O' Sound
Don't forget the long 'ō' sound at the beginning! It's like the 'o' in 'go'. Practice saying 'Ooooh-kiiii' to get it right.
Avoid 'Nagai' Confusion
Mix-up between 大きい (big) and 長い (nagai - long)? Remember: size = ōkii, length = nagai. A long road is 長い道, not 大きい道.
Simplicity of 大
The kanji 大 (dai/ō) is one of the most basic kanji, visually representing something large. Its simplicity reflects the fundamental nature of the concept.
Visual Dictionary
Create flashcards with pictures! Draw a giant object on one side and write 大きい (ōkii) on the other. The visual link helps solidify the meaning.
Adverbial Form
Need to say something changed 'greatly'? Use the adverb form: 大きく (ōkiku). For example, 世界が大きく変わった (Sekai ga ōkiku kawatta) - The world changed greatly.
Connecting Clauses
To connect 大きい to another clause (like 'big but cheap'), use the -く (-ku) form: 大きいけれど、安い (ōkii keredo, yasui).
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine a giant 'O' shape (like a mouth saying 'Oh!') that is extremely BIG.
Visual Association
Picture a huge elephant (ōkii elephant) with a big, round body.
Word Web
Challenge
Look around your room and name 5 things that are 大きい.
Word Origin
Japanese
Original meaning: Likely related to concepts of growth, expansion, or fullness.
Cultural Context
Generally not sensitive, but context matters. Describing a person as 大きい might be impolite if not referring to their height or build in a neutral context.
In English, we have many words for 'big' (big, large, huge, giant, enormous, vast, etc.), each with slightly different connotations. Japanese tends to use 大きい more broadly, relying on context or specific compounds for nuance.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Describing objects
- 大きいテレビ (ōkii terebi) - Big TV
- 大きいかばん (ōkii kaban) - Big bag
- 大きい家 (ōkii ie) - Big house
Describing abstract concepts
- 大きい問題 (ōkii mondai) - Big problem
- 大きい夢 (ōkii yume) - Big dream
- 大きい影響 (ōkii eikyō) - Big influence
Describing sounds or voices
- 大きい声 (ōkii koe) - Loud voice
- 大きい音 (ōkii oto) - Loud sound
- 大きい音楽 (ōkii ongaku) - Loud music
Expressing change or degree
- 大きく変わる (ōkiku kawaru) - To change greatly
- 大きく影響する (ōkiku eikyō suru) - To greatly influence
- 大きく成長する (ōkiku seichō suru) - To grow significantly
Conversation Starters
"「このレストラン、メニューが大きいね！」 (Kono resutoran, menyū ga ōkii ne!) - 'This restaurant has a big menu, doesn't it?'"
"「昨日、大きい地震があったらしいよ。」 (Kinō, ōkii jishin ga atta rashii yo.) - 'I heard there was a big earthquake yesterday.'"
"「君の夢は大きいね。応援してるよ！」 (Kimi no yume wa ōkii ne. Ōen shiteru yo!) - 'Your dream is big! I'm cheering for you!'"
"「もっと大きい声で話してください。」 (Motto ōkii koe de hanashite kudasai.) - 'Please speak more loudly.'"
"「この街で一番大きい建物は何ですか？」 (Kono machi de ichiban ōkii tatemono wa nan desu ka?) - 'What is the biggest building in this town?'"
Journal Prompts
Describe the biggest thing you own and why you like it.
Write about a time you faced a big challenge and how you overcame it.
What is your biggest dream for the future? Explain why it's important to you.
Describe a place you visited that was remarkably big or spacious.
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsNo, 大きい can also refer to abstract concepts like importance, significance, or intensity. For example, 'a big problem' (大きい問題 - ōkii mondai) or 'a loud voice' (大きい声 - ōkii koe).
大きい is the standard, neutral word for 'big'. でかい is more casual and emphatic, often used in spoken language to mean 'huge' or 'massive'.
You can use adverbs like とても (totemo) or すごく (sugoku) before 大きい: とても大きい (totemo ōkii) or すごく大きい (sugoku ōkii). For emphasis in casual speech, you might also hear 馬鹿でかい (bakadekai).
Yes, it can describe a person's build or height (e.g., 大きい人 - ōkii hito - a big person). However, be mindful of context, as directly calling someone 'big' might be impolite depending on the situation.
The noun form is 大きさ (ōkisa), which means 'size' or 'magnitude'.
You use 大きく when you want to modify a verb, describing the manner or extent of an action. For example, 大きく変わる (ōkiku kawaru) means 'to change greatly'.
Yes, the kanji 大 (dai/ō) is often used in compounds related to 'big' or 'great', like 大金持ち (ōganemochi - very rich) or 大掃除 (ōsōji - big cleanup).
The common saying is '大きいことはいいことだ' (Ōkii koto wa ii koto da), which literally translates to 'Big things are good things'.
Test Yourself
これは ______ りんごです。
The sentence describes a 'big apple', so '大きい' (big) is the correct word.
What does 大きい (ōkii) mean?
大きい is the Japanese word for 'big' or 'large'.
大きい (ōkii) can be used to describe the size of a house.
Yes, 大きい is commonly used to describe the size of buildings like houses (e.g., 大きい家 - ōkii ie).
Word
Meaning
These are common collocations where 大きい modifies a noun to describe its size or intensity.
The correct sentence structure is 'Kono kuruma wa ōkii desu' (This car is big).
彼のスピーチは聴衆に ______ 影響を与えた。
'大きく' (ōkiku) is the adverbial form meaning 'greatly' or 'significantly', fitting the context of a strong influence.
Which phrase best describes a 'major decision'?
大きい決断 (ōkii ketsudan) is the standard and appropriate way to say 'major decision' or 'big decision'.
The proverb '大は小を兼ねる' (Dai wa shō o kaneru) suggests that small things are always better than big things.
The proverb means the opposite: 'The big can do the job of the small,' implying larger items are often more versatile.
あの犬は ______ です。
The sentence implies the dog is big, so '大きい' (big) is the correct adjective.
Which word means 'vast' or 'extensive', often used for land?
広大 (kōdai) specifically means vast or extensive, often used for large areas of land, whereas 大きい is more general.
Score: /10
Summary
Mastering 大きい (ōkii) is essential for describing size and significance in Japanese, from everyday objects to abstract ideas.
- 大きい (ōkii) means 'big' or 'large'.
- It's a versatile adjective used for physical size and abstract concepts.
- It's an i-adjective, directly modifying nouns or used predicatively.
- The adverbial form is 大きく (ōkiku), meaning 'greatly'.
The 'Ooooh!' Mnemonic
Imagine someone seeing something incredibly BIG and exclaiming 'Ooooh!' The 'Ooooh' sound connects to the 'ō' sound in ōkii, and the exclamation signifies 'big!'
Context is King!
While 大きい means 'big', pay attention to context. Is it physical size (a big house)? Importance (a big decision)? Or intensity (a loud voice)? The surrounding words will clarify the meaning.
Beyond Size
In Japan, 'greatness' (大) can imply importance or seniority. Notice how 大 is used in words like 大統領 (daitōryō - president) or 大先輩 (dai senpai - senior colleague).
Adjective Power
Remember 大きい is an i-adjective. This means it can directly describe a noun (大きい車) or act as a predicate (車が大きい). Easy peasy!
Related Content
More general words
能力
A1Nouryoku refers to the mental or physical power, skill, or capacity required to perform a specific task or function. It can describe both innate talent and skills acquired through learning and practice.
異常
A1A word used to describe something that deviates from the normal state, standard, or expected pattern. It often implies a problem, malfunction, or an extraordinary occurrence that requires attention or investigation.
～について
A2About, concerning; indicates topic.
〜について
B1About, concerning; on the subject of.
～ぐらい
A2about, approximately
ぐらい
A2About; approximately; to the extent of.
ごろ
A2About, approximately (time).
うえ
A2At a higher position than.
絶対
B1Absolutely; definitely; never.
絶対に
B1Absolutely; definitely.
