大气

• Pinyin: dà qì
• Hanzi breakdown: 大 = big; 气 = 气 (air, gas, spirit)

Meaning

Atmosphere; air; generous/grand (manner). A noun with scientific and colloquial meanings.

Scientific meaning: the layer of gases surrounding Earth. Colloquial meaning: describes someone or something as having a grand, generous, or impressive quality — the opposite of petty or stingy.

Examples

1. 科学家们一直在研究大气污染对气候变化的影响。 Scientists have been studying the impact of atmospheric pollution on climate change.
2. 她穿衣服特别大气，从来不追那些小家子气的款式。 She dresses with such grandeur — she never goes for those fussy little styles.
3. 这个设计太小气了，要做得再大气一些。 This design is too petty — it needs to be more impressive and grand.

Usage Guide

Context: science, aesthetics, personality

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• 大气层保护地球免受太空辐射。(The atmosphere protects Earth from space radiation.)
• 做人要大气一点，别太计较。(Be more generous in spirit — don't be so petty.)

Don't Say

• 这个苹果很大气 (大气 for manner/aesthetics applies to designs, people, or style — not fruit)

Origin & History

Compound of 大 (big) + 气 (air, manner, spirit). Together meaning either atmosphere or grand manner.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal