大小
Meanings
General term for size, often used in contexts comparing or categorizing sizes.
Please measure the size of this box.
noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
large and small; various sizes
Refers to a range of sizes, or the contrast between large and small items. Often used attributively with の.
Stones of various sizes were lying on the road.
daishō (matched long and short swords)
Historical term for a pair of swords (katana and wakizashi) worn together by samurai.
The samurai wore a daishō at his waist.
large and small drums
Refers to a pair of drums, one large and one small, used in traditional Japanese music or theater.
At the festival, large and small drums were beaten.
long and short months
Archaic term for months with 30 days (大の月) and months with 29 or fewer days (小の月) in the old lunar calendar.
In the old calendar, it was difficult to remember the long and short months.
sic bo (dice game); big and small
A gambling game of Chinese origin played with three dice, also known as tai sai or dai siu. The name 大小 refers to betting on 'big' or 'small' totals.
I saw a game called sic bo for the first time at the casino.
Usage patterns
- 〈物〉の大小the size (big or small) of a thing
The price varies depending on the size of the stone.
- 大小にかかわらずregardless of size
Regardless of size, the fee is the same.
- 大小様々な〈物〉things of various sizes
Stones of various sizes are scattered about.
- 大小を帯びるto wear the matched long and short swords
The samurai walked through town wearing his matched swords.