Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| サイズ | saizu | [sa̠izɨ] (narrow) |
| 大きさ | ōkisa | [o̞ːkʲisa̠] (narrow) |
| 大小 | daishō | [da̠iɕo̞ː] (narrow) [o̞ːsa̠] (narrow) |
| 寸法 | sunpō | [sɨ̃mpo̞ː] (narrow) |
| 寸尺 | sunshaku |
Japanese uses different words for size depending on whether you are discussing abstract scale, commercial measurements or technical dimensions. サイズ is the most common way to refer to commercial sizes, such as clothing or shoes. 大きさ refers to the general physical scale or the abstract quality of being large or having a certain bigness. 寸法 is used for specific measurements and dimensions, typically in technical or scientific contexts. Finally, 大小 is a compound used to describe the variation in size or the presence of both large and small items. 寸尺 also refers to size and dimensions.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 大きさ is formed by adding the suffix -さ to the adjective 大きい (large) to turn the quality into a noun. The word 大小 is a compound of 'large' and 'small'.
Which one should you use?
サイズ is a loanword used most commonly for commercial sizes like clothing, shoes or standardized products. In contrast, 大きさ refers more to the abstract quality of being large or the physical scale of an object rather than a specific commercial measurement. For formal or technical situations, such as construction or tailoring, use 寸法 to refer to specific technical dimensions or precise measurements.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The word 大きさ is a noun created by adding the suffix -さ to the adjective 大きい (large).
How do you pronounce it?
saizu
Did you know?
- The term 寸法 is used not only for physical measurements but also as a metaphor for a 'plan' or 'scheme' when someone calculates a specific outcome.
- The root of the word for 'big' in 大きさ is linked to an ancient linguistic root that also appears in words meaning 'many' or 'much'.
- The term 寸尺 relies on 'sun' and 'shaku', which are traditional units of length from a system based on the human body rather than the metric system.
Examples in context
- 丁度いい大きさよ。It's just the right size.This sentence shows how to describe something as being the right size using 大きさ.Tatoeba #10630201 by small_snow, translation #1658059 by Spamster
- 大きさが大事なのだ。Size does matter.This sentence emphasizes the importance of size using 大きさ.Tatoeba #8337050 by Nishikigoi, translation #1640065 by Spamster
- 靴のサイズはいくつ？What's your shoe size?This sentence is useful for asking about shoe size using サイズ.Tatoeba #10675609 by bunbuku, translation #20131 by CK
- 家の大きさは印象的です。The size of the house is impressive.
- 靴のサイズは何ですか？What size shoes do you wear?
- 箱の寸法を教えてください。Please provide the dimensions of the box.
- あの魚、大きさがすごい！That fish is huge!
- 53 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Misaki and Kenta are shopping for a new t-shirt.
- 健太 Kentaこの服、サイズが少し小さいな。Kono fuku, saizu ga sukoshi chiisai na.This piece of clothing is a bit small in size.
- 美咲 Misakiもう一つ上のサイズを試してみて。Mou hitotsu ue no saizu o tameshite mite.Try one size up.
- 健太 Kentaそうだね。あっちにあるかな。Sou da ne. Atchi ni aru kana.You're right. I wonder if it's over there.
- 美咲 Misaki店員さんにサイズを聞いてみよう。Ten'in-san ni saizu o kiite miyou.Let's ask the clerk about the sizes.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “size” translations and entries サイズ, 大きさ, 大小, 寸法, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 大きさ, 大小, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
