adjective HSK 1
big · large · great · major
Meaning
大 is one of the most fundamental adjectives in Chinese, describing size, importance, or degree. It's often paired with its opposite 小 (xiǎo, small). Beyond physical size, it can indicate significance, seniority, or intensity.
Usage
Used daily in countless contexts from describing physical objects to abstract concepts. Often appears in compound words like 大学 (university) or 大人 (adult). Can be reduplicated as 大大 for emphasis. Native speakers use it both attributively (before nouns) and predicatively (after subjects with or without 很).
Examples
- 01这个房间很大。.This room is very big.
- 02他比我大三岁。.He is three years older than me.
Common collocations
- 大学university
- 大家everyone
- 大概probably, roughly
- 大多数majority
Antonyms
Origin
Oracle bone script shows a person with arms and legs spread wide, representing something large or great.