Definition
大部头 refers to a large, thick book, often a multi-volume work or an important classic like 红楼梦 or 资治通鉴. It carries a connotation of weightiness — both physical and intellectual — and is sometimes used metaphorically for any serious, substantive work.
n.
largethick book (often multi-volume)important classic workweighty tome
Examples
- 大部头。Zhè běn dà wǒ yǐjīng dú le sān gè yuè hái méi dú wán.I've been reading this thick tome for three months and still haven't finished it.
- 大部头。Túshūguǎn lǐ yǒu hěnduō guānyú lìshǐ de dà.The library has many multi-volume works on history.
- 大部头。Zhè bù dà shì yánjiū zhōngguó gǔdài wénhuà de bìbèi shūmù.This weighty work is a must-read for studying ancient Chinese culture.
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