特大

• Pinyin: tè dà
• Hanzi breakdown: 特 = special; 大 = large — extra large, major

Meaning

Extra large; exceptionally big; major. Describes something significantly larger or more serious than normal.

Used to describe both physical size (特大号 = extra large size) and severity (特大事故 = major accident, 特大新闻 = big news). Common in news reports for serious events: 特大暴雨 (torrential rain), 特大地震 (major earthquake), 特大案件 (major case). Also for product sizes: 特大杯 (extra large cup), 特大床 (king-size bed).

Examples

1. 这场特大暴雨造成了严重的洪涝灾害。 This torrential rainstorm caused severe flooding.
2. 他穿特大号的衣服还是有点紧。 He wears extra-large clothes and they're still a bit tight.
3. 警方破获了一起特大网络诈骗案。 Police cracked a major online fraud case.

Usage Guide

Context: news, products, disasters

Tone: emphatic

Do Say

• 这是一则特大新闻。(This is major news.)
• 特大号的披萨够几个人吃？(How many people can an extra-large pizza feed?)

Don't Say

• 稍微大一点不用'特大' (Don't use 特大 for slightly bigger — reserve it for exceptionally large items or major events)

Origin & History

Compound of 特 (special, particularly) + 大 (big, large). Meaning specially/exceptionally large.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal