偉大|いだいidai[0]heiban (flat)
This browser can't play pronunciations (needs Safari 18.4 or later, or Chrome / Edge / Firefox).
Definitions
- na-adjectivegreat; grand; magnificent; outstanding; mighty
Conjugation
| Plain form | 偉大（いだい） |
|---|---|
| Polite (desu) | 偉大です（いだいです） |
| Negative (dewa nai) | 偉大ではない（いだいではない） |
| polite (dewa arimasen) | 偉大ではありません（いだいではありません） |
| Past (datta) | 偉大だった（いだいだった） |
| Past negative (dewa nakatta) | 偉大ではなかった（いだいではなかった） |
| Te form (de) | 偉大で（いだいで） |
| Adverbial (ni) | 偉大に（いだいに） |
| Conditional (nara) | 偉大なら（いだいなら） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym偉いWrittenWritten/formal prose; mostly appears in compounds such as 「偉業」 and 「偉人」, and is rarely used on its own.
- Related抜群ばつぐんNeutralNeutral. Means standing far above the crowd, stressing comparison with others; 「偉大」 stresses achievement and influence.
- Related尊いとうといNeutralNeutral. Refers to what is precious or noble, as in 「尊い命」, stressing value; 「偉大」 stresses achievement.
- Related堂々どうどうNeutralNeutral. Means dignified and imposing, stressing bearing or appearance; 「偉大」 stresses deeds and accomplishments.
- Related雄偉ゆういWrittenWritten/formal prose. Describes grand, spectacular scale, used mostly for mountains, rivers and buildings.
- Antonym矮小わいしょうWrittenWritten/formal prose. Means small in stature, and by extension narrow in outlook or scope; the opposite of 「偉大」.
- Antonym卑小ひしょうWrittenWritten/formal prose. Means petty and insignificant; the direct opposite of 「偉大」.
Use 「偉大」 for the greatness of people, achievements or undertakings. For standing out above others say 「抜群」, for what is precious or noble 「尊い」, for an imposing manner 「堂々」. For smallness use 「卑小」 or 「矮小」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also
