大きい
ōkii[o̞ːkʲiː]
The English phrase "big" is translated into Japanese as 大きい (ōkii).
大きい is used to describe something that is of a great size.
Meaning: of a great size (adj)
Which one should you use?
While 大きい is an adjective used to describe a noun, the form 大きな is a pre-noun adjectival form that can only be used directly before a noun.
How does it change in a sentence?
The past tense is 大きかった (was big) and the negative form is 大きくない (is not big). The adverbial form 大きく can be used to modify verbs or connect clauses, such as in the phrase 大きくなる (to become big).
How do you pronounce it?
ōkii
Did you know?
- The phrase 口が大きい 'kuchi ga ōkii' literally means 'the mouth is big', but it is used idiomatically to describe someone who brags or talks too much.
- The historical ancestor of the word, the ancient 'opoki', suggests that 'big' originally described things that were vague or had an uncertain shape rather than just being large.
- Japanese has a specific word 大盛り ōmori derived from 大きい that refers specifically to a 'big' serving of food, which can be requested at most restaurants.
Examples in context
- 彼は手が大きい。He has big hands.This sentence is useful for describing physical attributes like hands using 大きい.Tatoeba #104507 by bunbuku, translation #299184 by CK
- とても大きいね。They are very big.This sentence is useful for expressing that something is very big using 大きい.Tatoeba #200577 by bunbuku, translation #37779 by CK
- 随分と大きいな。It's so big!This sentence is useful for expressing surprise at how big something is using 大きい.Tatoeba #3507444 by arnab, translation #707129 by papabear
- 彼は広大な敷地を持つ大規模な工場を所有していますHe owns a large-scale factory with vast premises.
- あのドラゴンはデカい！That dragon is huge!
- 77 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kenta and Yui are looking at a new house.
- 健太 Kentaこの家、すごく大きいね！Kono ie, sugoku ookii ne!This house is really big!
- 結衣 Yui本当だね、健太さんはどう思う？Hontou da ne, Kenta-san wa dou omou?True, what do you think, Kenta?
- 健太 Kenta結衣さんの好みに合うと思うよ。Yui-san no konomi ni au to omou yo.I think it will suit your taste, Yui.
- 結衣 Yui嬉しい！大きくて素敵だわ。Ureshii! Ookikute suteki da wa.I'm happy! It's big and lovely.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “big” translations and entries 大きい, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 大きい, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
