Definition
大 (dà) is the everyday word for 'big, large' in size or degree. When used before family titles (大哥, 大姐), it means 'older, eldest' — but only for the oldest sibling. For 'elder' in a general sense (not necessarily the oldest), use 长 (zhǎng) instead, as in 长辈 (elder generation).
adjective
biglarge(used before family titles) oldereldest
Easily confused
- 太tàilook-aliketoo, excessively (often with 了)
- 打dǎsound-aliketo hit, strike, beat
- 天tiānlook-alike(noun) sky
- 打dǎsound-alike(loanword, measure word) dozen
- 从cónglook-alike(preposition) from (marks a starting point in space, time, or a range)
- 搭dāsound-aliketo put up, to build (scaffolding, a shed, a shelf)
- 美měilook-alikebeautiful; pretty
- 答dásound-aliketo answer, to reply, to respond
Examples
- 大。Zhège píngguǒ hěn dà.This apple is very big.
- 。Wǒ dà gē hěn máng.My eldest brother is very busy.
- 大。Nàge shān hěn dà.That mountain is very big.
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