Translation guide
This guide covers how to express 'large-scale' in Japanese, from common adjectives to formal compound words.
Describing something as large in scale, size, or scope in a general sense.
The most common and neutral word for 'large-scale', used for events, projects, operations, etc.
大規模なイベントが開催された。
A large-scale event was held.
大規模な開発計画が進んでいる。
A large-scale development plan is underway.
Implies something is done on a large scale, often with a sense of being elaborate or involving many people/resources.
大がかりな捜索が行われた。
A large-scale search was conducted.
Often used for campaigns, promotions, or announcements that are done in a big, public way.
新製品を大々的に宣伝する。
They are promoting the new product on a large scale.
Specifically referring to large-scale disasters, damage, or negative events.
Still the standard term, but often used in news for disasters.
大規模な地震が発生した。
A large-scale earthquake occurred.
Means 'enormous' or 'immense', often used for damage (被害). Formal/written.
Referring to mass production or industrial scale.
Literally 'mass production', the standard term for large-scale manufacturing.
この工場では自動車を大量生産している。
This factory mass-produces cars.
Abbreviation of 大量生産, common in business/technical contexts.
Describing a map or model that shows a large area with less detail (small scale ratio).
In cartography, 'large-scale' refers to a small denominator, so 小縮尺 (small scale) is used. Confusing for learners; often rephrased.
English 'large-scale map' means a map showing a small area in detail. In Japanese, this is 大縮尺 (large scale). Be careful with direct translation.
小縮尺の地図では詳細がわからない。
A small-scale map doesn't show details.
In English, a 'large-scale map' shows a small area in detail (e.g., 1:10,000). In Japanese, this is 大縮尺 (だいしゅくしゃく). Conversely, a 'small-scale map' shows a large area (e.g., 1:1,000,000) and is 小縮尺 (しょうしゅくしゃく). The terms are reversed from the English wording.
甚大な被害が出た。
Large-scale damage was caused.
新モデルの量産が始まった。
Mass production of the new model has begun.