Translation and Meaning of: 大幅 - oohaba

If you are learning Japanese or are curious about the language, you may have come across the word 大幅 (おおはば, ōhaba). It is quite useful in everyday life and frequently appears in news, reports, and formal conversations. In this article, we will explore its meaning, origin, translation, and how it is used in practice. Additionally, we will share tips for memorizing it and interesting facts that go beyond the dictionary.

What does 大幅 mean?

The word 大幅 is an adjective in the な (na-keiyōshi) form and means "large," "significant," or "drastic." It is used to describe changes, differences, or adjustments that are considerable in magnitude. For example, when a price rises significantly or a project undergoes important changes, it is common to hear this expression.

Unlike terms like 大きい (ōkii), which refer to physical size, 大幅 is more related to abstract impacts. Its use is more formal and frequently appears in economic, political, and business contexts. This does not mean it is rare in daily life, but it has a more technical tone.

Origin and writing of 大幅

The composition of 大幅 comes from the kanjis 大 (big) and 幅 (width, amplitude). Together, they reinforce the idea of something having a broad dimension, whether in quantity or effect. The etymology is straightforward: there are no hidden meanings or complex historical backgrounds behind it.

It is worth noting that the kanji 幅 also appears in words like 値幅 (nehaba, price margin) and 価格幅 (kakaku haba, price range). This relationship helps to understand why 大幅 is related to significant variations. If you memorize the radical 巾 (sheet, cloth), present in 幅, you can associate it with "amplitude."

How to use 大幅 in practice

One of the most common situations for 大幅 is in news about the economy. Phrases like "原油価格が大幅に上昇した" (The price of oil has risen dramatically) are frequent. It also appears in announcements of train delays or policy changes, always indicating something out of the ordinary.

At work, you might hear expressions like "大幅な改善" (significant improvement) or "スケジュールを大幅に変更する" (drastically change the schedule). The word carries a weight of seriousness, so it is not used for small or casual adjustments. If you want to sound natural, reserve it for contexts where the change truly matters.

Trivia and memorization tips

A simple way to remember 大幅 is to think of the opposite of 小幅 (kohaba, small scale). This contrast helps to fix the meaning. Another tip is to associate 大 with "large" and 幅 with "variation," as in charts with wide axes.

According to the Modern Japanese Vocabulary Database, 大幅 is among the 3,000 most used words in newspapers and official documents. This shows its relevance for those who want to read more formal content. It's no surprise that it appears frequently in proficiency tests such as the JLPT.