Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 大方 | dàfang |
| 慷慨 | kāngkǎi |
| 寬宏大量 / 宽宏大量 | kuānhóngdàliàng |
| 寬厚 / 宽厚 | kuānhòu |
The term 大方 is the most common way to describe someone who is generous with money, gifts or their personal space and manner. It can also be used to describe a person's style or appearance as being elegant, tasteful or not overly flashy. Other forms like 慷慨 are used for more significant acts of giving, such as donations, while 寬宏大量 describes a generous spirit or character.
What does it mean word for word?
The components of 大方 are 大 (big) and 方 (square/method), implying someone who is "big" in their conduct and not petty.
Which one should you use?
大方 is the common choice for describing generosity in terms of spending or personal manner. 慷慨 is a more formal term often used to describe grand or significant acts of giving, such as a large donation or the bountiful gifts of nature. 寬宏大量 is specifically used in a formal context to describe a person's character as being broad-minded, magnanimous and forgiving toward the faults of others.
How do you pronounce it?
dàfang
What mistakes should you avoid?
When using 大方, remember that it is often used as a compliment for someone who does not haggle excessively or who is easy-going with social etiquette.
Did you know?
- The character 方 in 大方 can mean 'square', suggesting a person whose conduct is balanced and fair.
- In a social setting, calling someone 大方 often implies they are the one who comfortably picks up the bill without making a fuss.
- While English uses 'generous' for both money and spirit, Chinese strictly separates the 'spending' generosity of 大方 from the 'magnanimity' of 寬宏大量.
Examples in context
- 你太大方了。You're too generous.This sentence shows how to compliment someone's generosity using 大方.Tatoeba #6127311 by verdastelo9604, translation #2218447 by CK
- 湯姆是個大方的人。Tom is a very generous man.This sentence uses 大方 to describe a person's character.Tatoeba #6068355 by verdastelo9604, translation #5825687 by CK
- 大自然很慷慨。Mother Nature is generous.This sentence uses 慷慨 to describe the generosity of nature.Tatoeba #794063 by fucongcong, translation #792819 by U2FS
- 他是一个非常慷慨的人。He is a very generous person.
- 你真是个慷慨的朋友。You are such a generous friend.
- 她总是对客人很大方。She is always generous to guests.
- 他宽宏大量地接受了我的道歉。He generously accepted my apology.
- 你的善良和宽宏大量是你最好的品质。Your kindness and generosity are your best qualities.
- 他的善良让他愿意帮助任何人。His generosity makes him willing to help anyone.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Xiaowen and Haoran are talking about a friend who treated them to dinner.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen他请我们吃饭，真的很大方。Tā qǐng wǒmen chīfàn, zhēnde hěn dàfāng.He treated us to dinner, he's really generous.
- 浩然 Haoran是的，他总是这么大方。Shìde, tā zǒngshì zhème dàfāng.Yes, he is always this generous.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen下次我们也得对他大方一点。Xiàcì wǒmen yě děi duì tā dàfāng yīdiǎn.Next time we should be generous to him too.
- 浩然 Haoran没问题，我们一起请他吧。Méi wèntí, wǒmen yīqǐ qǐng tā ba.No problem, let's treat him together.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “generous” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
