Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'big'

English Word: big

Key Russian Translations:

• большой [bɐlʲˈʂoj] - [General, Formal/Informal]
• огромный [ɐˈɡromnɨj] - [Emphasizing size, Often Informal]
• крупный [ˈkrupnɨj] - [Often for physical objects or importance, Formal]

Frequency: High (especially "большой")

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner) for "большой"; B1 (Intermediate) for "огромный" and "крупный"

Pronunciation (Russian):

большой: [bɐlʲˈʂoj]

Note on большой: Stress falls on the second syllable. The "ш" sound is a retroflex fricative, unique to Russian.

огромный: [ɐˈɡromnɨj]

Note on огромный: Stress on the second syllable. The initial "о" is reduced to a schwa sound in unstressed position.

крупный: [ˈkrupnɨj]

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Large in Size (Physical)

Translation(s) & Context:

• большой - General term for large size, used for objects, spaces, or people (e.g., tall person).
• огромный - Used to emphasize enormous size, often with a sense of awe or exaggeration.

Usage Examples:

• У меня большой дом.

  I have a big house.

• Это огромный слон!

  This is a huge elephant!

• В городе большой парк.

  There is a big park in the city.

2. Important or Significant

Translation(s) & Context:

• большой - Used metaphorically for importance or influence (e.g., big news).
• крупный - Often used for significant entities like businesses or deals.

Usage Examples:

• Это большая новость!

  This is big news!

• Он крупный бизнесмен.

  He is a big businessman.

• Мы заключили крупную сделку.

  We made a big deal.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

большой (Adjective): Declines according to gender, number, and case in Russian grammar.

огромный & крупный: Follow similar adjective declension patterns as "большой".

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for "большой":

• великий (great, grand)
• значительный (significant)

Note: "великий" often implies grandeur or historical importance, while "значительный" focuses on relevance or impact.

Antonyms for "большой":

• маленький (small)
• небольшой (not big, smallish)

Related Phrases:

• большой брат - "big brother" (literal or metaphorical, as in surveillance).
• большое спасибо - "thank you very much" (lit. big thanks).
• огромное удовольствие - "great pleasure" (used to express delight).

Usage Notes:

• "большой" is the most versatile and frequently used translation for "big". It can describe size, importance, or even age (e.g., older sibling).
• "огромный" often carries an emotional tone, implying something impressively or surprisingly large.
• "крупный" is more specific, often used in formal contexts for significant entities (e.g., large companies) or physical traits (e.g., large features).
• Be mindful of adjective agreement in Russian; the form changes based on the noun it modifies.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "огромный" for everyday objects. Incorrect: "У меня огромный стол" (I have a huge table). Correct: "У меня большой стол" (I have a big table). Explanation: "огромный" implies exaggeration and is better for dramatic contexts.
• Error: Forgetting adjective agreement. Incorrect: "большой женщина". Correct: "большая женщина" (a tall/big woman). Explanation: Adjectives must match the gender of the noun.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian, "большой" can carry cultural weight, such as in expressions like "Большой театр" (Bolshoi Theatre), symbolizing grandeur and national pride. Additionally, describing someone as "большой человек" (a big person) often implies importance or influence rather than physical size.

Related Concepts:

• величина (magnitude, size)
• масштаб (scale, scope)
• рост (height, growth)