とても大きい
totemo ookii
The English phrase "very big" is translated into Japanese as とても大きい (totemo ookii).
The phrase is used to describe something that has a great size.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the adverb totemo (very) and the adjective ookii (big).
Which one should you use?
While とても大きい is the standard way to say very big, すごく大きい is a more colloquial and slightly more intense version. For a more extreme sense of scale, you can use the informal 超巨大 to mean "super huge" or "gigantic."
How does it change in a sentence?
To use the phrase as an adverb to modify a verb, change the final i of the adjective to ku, such as in とても大きく.
How do you pronounce it?
totemo ookii
Did you know?
- The word ookii is used for physical size, but to describe a 'big' or 'great' heart in terms of generosity, Japanese speakers often use the word hiroi, which literally means 'wide'.
- The word 非常に (hijō ni) is used as a formal replacement for とても (totemo). The characters in 非常に literally mean 'not ordinary', emphasizing that the size is extraordinary.
- The word 超 (chō), often used in slang like 超大きい (chō ookii) to mean 'super big', actually originates from a term meaning 'to transcend' or 'to go beyond'.
Examples in context
- とても大きいね。They are very big.This sentence is useful for confirming that something is very big.Tatoeba #200577 by bunbuku, translation #37779 by CK
- 君の犬はとても大きい。Your dog is very big.This sentence is useful for describing the size of a dog.Tatoeba #726904 by arihato, translation #64241 by CK
- アメリカはとても大きい。America is very big.This sentence is useful for describing the size of a country.Tatoeba #230177 by bunbuku, translation #2802297 by Deerhound
- あのビルは非常に大きいです。That building is very big.
- このリンゴはでかい！This apple is big!
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hina and Yota are looking at a large cake in a shop window.
- 陽葵 Himari見て、あのケーキ、とても大きいね。Mite, ano kēki, totemo ōkii ne.Look, that cake is very big, isn't it?
- 陽太 Yota本当だ。全部食べられるかな。Hontō da. Zenbu taberareru kana.You're right. I wonder if we can eat it all.
- 陽葵 Himariみんなで分ければ大丈夫だよ。Minna de wakereba daijōbu dayo.It'll be fine if we share it with everyone.
- 陽太 Yotaそうだね。買っていこう。Sō da ne. Katte ikō.True. Let's buy it.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
