noun
General term for size, often used in contexts comparing or categorizing sizes.
この箱の大小を測ってください。
Please measure the size of this box.
noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
large and small; various sizes
Refers to a range of sizes, or the contrast between large and small items. Often used attributively with の.
大小さまざまな石が道に落ちていた。
Stones of various sizes were lying on the road.
noun
daishō (matched long and short swords)
Historical term for a pair of swords (katana and wakizashi) worn together by samurai.
侍は腰に大小を差していた。
The samurai wore a daishō at his waist.
noun
large and small drums
Refers to a pair of drums, one large and one small, used in traditional Japanese music or theater.
祭りでは大小の太鼓が打ち鳴らされた。
At the festival, large and small drums were beaten.
noun
long and short months
Archaic term for months with 30 days (大の月) and months with 29 or fewer days (小の月) in the old lunar calendar.
昔の暦では、大小の月を覚えるのが難しかった。
In the old calendar, it was difficult to remember the long and short months.
noun
sic bo (dice game); big and small
A gambling game of Chinese origin played with three dice, also known as tai sai or dai siu. The name 大小 refers to betting on 'big' or 'small' totals.
カジノで大小というゲームを初めて見た。
I saw a game called sic bo for the first time at the casino.