Meaning
宽大 describes something physically spacious or wide, but also extends to moral character meaning lenient or magnanimous. It combines 宽 (wide) and 大 (big/large) to emphasize generous dimensions or generous spirit. When referring to spaces like rooms or clothing, it means roomy or loose-fitting. When describing attitudes or treatment, it means forgiving or merciful.
Usage
宽大 is commonly used in both physical and abstract contexts. For physical spaces, it describes rooms, clothes, or areas that are spacious. In legal or interpersonal contexts, 宽大处理 (lenient treatment) is a set phrase meaning to deal with someone mercifully. Native speakers often use it to compliment someone's generosity of spirit or to describe comfortable, roomy spaces.
Examples
- 01这件衣服对我来说太宽大了。.These clothes are too loose-fitting for me.
- 02法官决定对初犯者宽大处理。.The judge decided to deal leniently with the first-time offender.
Characters
Common collocations
- 宽大处理to deal with leniently
- 宽大的房间spacious room
- 宽大的衣服loose-fitting clothes
- 心胸宽大broad-minded, magnanimous
Antonyms
Origin
Compound of 宽 (wide) and 大 (big), both reinforcing the sense of generous size or generous spirit. The metaphorical extension from physical spaciousness to moral magnanimity is natural across many languages.