大小

• Pinyin: dà xiǎo
• Hanzi breakdown: 大 = pictograph of a person with arms spread — big; 小 = three strokes representing something small

Meaning

Size; dimensions. Refers to how big or small something is.

Used to ask about or describe the size of objects, rooms, clothes, and other measurable things. Often used in the pattern ...的大小 (the size of...). Can also mean big and small (adults and children) in some contexts.

Examples

1. 这双鞋的大小正合适。 This pair of shoes is just the right size.
2. 请告诉我这个房间的大小。 Please tell me the size of this room.
3. 这两个箱子的大小差不多。 These two suitcases are about the same size.

Usage Guide

Context: measurement, shopping, description

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 这件衣服大小合适吗？(Does this piece of clothing fit?)
• 房间的大小怎么样？(How is the size of the room?)

Don't Say

• 在买衣服时不要说'你的大小是什么' — for clothing sizes, say 你穿多大号的 or 你穿什么码 instead of asking about 大小 directly.

Origin & History

Compound of 大 (big) and 小 (small). The combination of opposite qualities creates an abstract noun meaning size — the dimension between big and small.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal