groß
/ɡʁoːs/
The English word "large" is translated into German as groß. Wiktionary also lists weit.
Meaning: of greater size (adj)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA |
|---|---|
| groß | /ɡʁoːs/ |
| weit | /vaɪ̯t/ |
The word groß is used to describe physical size and volume, as well as a person's height.
Which one should you use?
While groß refers to size or volume, weit is used to describe distance or the width of an expanse, often translated as "wide", "vast" or "far".
How does it change in a sentence?
When used as an adjective before a noun, the form of groß changes based on gender and case. For example, it takes the ending -e when used as an attributive adjective before a feminine or plural noun, such as eine große Tasche (a large bag). It also takes the ending -en for masculine nouns in the accusative or dative cases, such as den großen Baum (the large tree).
How do you pronounce it?
/ɡʁoːs/
Did you know?
- While weit usually means 'wide' or 'far', it is also the standard word used to describe clothing that is too 'loose'.
- In a colloquial context, saying groß can refer to being an adult, such as in the phrase Ich bin schon groß, which means 'I am already grown up'.
- The word groß can be used as an intensifier to mean 'very' or 'greatly' in phrases like großartig, which translates to 'great' or 'wonderful'.
Examples in context
- Das ist zu groß.It's too large.This sentence is useful for expressing that something is too large.Tatoeba #635636 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #435410 by CK
- Der Baum ist groß.The tree is large.This sentence is useful for describing the size of a tree.Tatoeba #8320536 by MisterTrouser, translation #12490020 by Miktsoanit
- Der Apfel ist groß.The apple is large.This sentence is useful for describing the size of an apple.Tatoeba #13790984 by mhr, translation #13803976 by rul
- Ein großes HausA large house
- Die große StadtThe big city
- Ein riesiges GebäudeA huge building
- Die riesige FabrikThe massive factory
- Ein riesiger ErfolgA tremendous success
- Eine mega PartyA huge party
- Ein mega AuftrittA tremendous performance
- Ein riesiges EisA huge ice cream
- Ick hab 'ne kolossale ÜberraschungI have a huge surprise
- Die Party war kolossalThe party was massive
- 652 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Maximilian and Sarah are looking at a house for rent.
- MaximilianIst das Zimmer hier groß genug?Is this room large enough?
- SarahJa, es ist sehr groß.Yes, it is very large.
- MaximilianIch finde es toll, Sarah.I think it's great, Sarah.
- SarahDas sehe ich auch so.I see it that way too.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “large” translations and entries groß, weit, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
