膨大

• Reading: ぼうだい
• Romaji: boudai
• Kanji breakdown: 膨 (bou) — swell, expand; 大 (dai) — big, great
• Pronunciation: /boː.da.i/

Meaning

Huge; vast; enormous. Describes an overwhelming quantity or volume.

A na-adjective typically used for abstract quantities rather than physical size: 膨大な量 (a vast amount), 膨大なデータ (enormous data), 膨大な費用 (huge costs). Emphasises that the quantity is so large it feels unmanageable. More focused on volume/amount than 巨大 which stresses physical size.

Examples

1. 膨大な資料を整理するのに一週間かかった。 It took a whole week to organize the vast amount of documents.
2. このプロジェクトには膨大な費用がかかる。 This project will cost an enormous amount of money.
3. 膨大なデータを分析する技術が必要だ。 Technology to analyze massive amounts of data is needed.

Usage Guide

Context: academic, business, news

Tone: emphatic

Origin & History

Compound of 膨 (bou, to swell/expand) and 大 (dai, big/great). Together, 'swollen to greatness' — something that has expanded to an overwhelming scale.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal