Translation guide
The English word "large" describes something of considerable size, extent, or capacity. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is 大きい (ookii), but the best choice depends on what is being described and the context. This guide covers physical size, scale, amounts, and idiomatic uses.
Describing something as big in size, such as objects, animals, or people.
The most common and versatile word for 'large' or 'big'. Used for concrete objects, living things, and abstract concepts. Can sound casual; in formal writing, 大きな (おおきな) is often used attributively.
あの犬はとても大きい。
That dog is very large.
大きい箱をください。
Please give me a large box.
Pre-nominal form of 大きい, used only before nouns. Slightly more formal or literary feel. Cannot be used predicatively.
大きな家に住んでいます。
I live in a large house.
Very casual, often masculine slang for 'huge' or 'massive'. Common in informal speech.
でかい魚を釣った！
I caught a huge fish!
Referring to large-scale events, amounts, influence, or abstract magnitude.
Means 'large-scale'. Used for events, projects, operations, etc. Often in news or formal contexts.
大規模な停電が発生した。
A large-scale power outage occurred.
Can also be used for abstract concepts like influence, problem, difference, etc.
それは大きな問題だ。
That's a large problem.
Means 'great' or 'immense' in terms of degree or amount. Used for influence, effort, damage, etc.
多大なご支援をいただき、ありがとうございます。
Thank you for your large (immense) support.
Describing a large quantity, volume, or number of things.
Means 'a large amount/quantity of'. Used for both countable and uncountable things.
大量のデータを処理する。
Process a large amount of data.
Means 'many' or 'a lot of'. More common for countable items, but can be used broadly.
多くの人が集まった。
A large number of people gathered.
Specifically for large sums of money.
多額の借金がある。
I have a large debt.
Describing sizes of clothes, drinks, meals, etc.
The standard way to say 'large size' for clothes, drinks, etc. Often used in shops and restaurants.
Lサイズのコーヒーをください。
A large coffee, please.
Used as a suffix or prefix for sizes, e.g., 大盛り (large portion).
大盛りでお願いします。
A large portion, please.
Describing a person's character as magnanimous or tolerant.
Literally 'heart is wide', meaning generous, broad-minded, tolerant.
彼は心が広い人だ。
He is a large-hearted person.
Means 'generous', 'lenient', or 'magnanimous'. Often used in formal contexts.
寛大な処置をお願いします。
Please be large (lenient) in your handling.
While 大きい is the default translation, it can sound unnatural for abstract scales, amounts, or specific collocations. Use the more specific terms provided in each meaning.
大きい is an i-adjective and can be used at the end of a sentence. 大きな is only used before nouns and has a slightly more formal/literary nuance. In casual speech, 大きい is more common.