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.
That dog is very large.
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.
Very casual, often masculine slang for 'huge' or 'massive'. Common in informal speech.
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.
Describing a large quantity, volume, or number of things.
Means 'a large amount/quantity of'. Used for both countable and uncountable things.
Describing sizes of clothes, drinks, meals, etc.
The standard way to say 'large size' for clothes, drinks, etc. Often used in shops and restaurants.
A large coffee, please.
Describing a person's character as magnanimous or tolerant.
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.
大きな家に住んでいます。
I live in a large house.
I caught a huge fish!
A large-scale power outage occurred.
Can also be used for abstract concepts like influence, problem, difference, etc.
That's a large problem.
Means 'great' or 'immense' in terms of degree or amount. Used for influence, effort, damage, etc.
Thank you for your large (immense) support.
Process a large amount of data.
Means 'many' or 'a lot of'. More common for countable items, but can be used broadly.
A large number of people gathered.
Used as a suffix or prefix for sizes, e.g., 大盛り (large portion).
A large portion, please.
He is a large-hearted person.
Means 'generous', 'lenient', or 'magnanimous'. Often used in formal contexts.
Please be large (lenient) in your handling.
large-scale disaster