Japanese word

大物

Pronunciation

Romajiōmono

Meaning

  • nounbig shot

Example

あの会社の大物が来ます。a no gai sha no ō mono ga ki ma su

A big shot from that company is coming.

Illustration for 大物 (big shot)

More examples

彼は若くして大物の風格を備えています。kare wa waka ku shi te ō mono no fū kaku o sona e te i ma su

Even at a young age, he has the bearing of a big shot.

Core concept

Describes someone who carries enough power or reputation to matter greatly in a particular group or area.

Common phrases

  • 大物俳優ō mono hai yū

    major actor

  • 大物ゲストō mono ge su to

    big-name guest

  • 大物司会者ō mono shi kai sha

    star host

Similar words

大立者ōtatemono: A leading and influential person in a particular field.
重鎮jūchin: A senior figure with established influence in an organization or field.
名士meishi: A person widely recognized for importance and social standing.

Definition in Japanese

その組織や分野で重要な地位にあり、強い影響力を持つ人。so no so shiki ya bun ya de jū yō na chi i ni a ri tsuyo i ei kyō ryoku o mo tsu hito

Word origin

The compound 大物 (ōmono) consists of 大 (ō, "big") and 物 (mono, "thing"), linking physical largeness with exceptional importance or influence.

Usage tips

  • In English, big shot usually refers to a person rather than a large object, and its informal tone makes it less suitable for highly formal writing.

Other meanings

  • big namenoun
  • heavyweightnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 大物ぶりōmonoburiair of a big shotnoun
  • 大物ぶるōmonoburuact like a big shotverb

Word lists with this word