Question Connotation of 大きい

[sugaryscrawn]

When I first started learning Japanese, I always remembered 'ooki' as a big cookie. I guess that sort of subconsciously gave me a positive connotation for the word. But sometimes when I use this word in a positive or joking way around my Japanese speaking friends I get weird looks. So I was wondering if I've been using it wrong this whole time. Does it have more of a negative connotation than I thought?

 

[mdchachi]

When I first started learning Japanese, I always remembered 'ooki' as a big cookie. I guess that sort of subconsciously gave me a positive connotation for the word. But sometimes when I use this word in a positive or joking way around my Japanese speaking friends I get weird looks. So I was wondering if I've been using it wrong this whole time. Does it have more of a negative connotation than I thought?

I don't think there's anything inherently positive or negative about it. Just like the word "big" it would depend on context and usage.
Maybe they aren't understanding your jokes?

 

[Mikawa Ossan]

I second @mdchachi 's take on it. There's no inherent good or bad connotation that I'm aware of. What kind of jokes are you making using the word?

 

[sugaryscrawn]

I second @mdchachi 's take on it. There's no inherent good or bad connotation that I'm aware of. What kind of jokes are you making using the word?

Not much, usually stuff like "you have a big mouth" or "you have a big attitude". Maybe they just don't understand my joke?

 

[Mikawa Ossan]

Not much, usually stuff like "you have a big mouth" or "you have a big attitude". Maybe they just don't understand my joke?

LOL, I'm not sure I understand your jokes, either!

 

[Toritoribe]

Not much, usually stuff like "you have a big mouth" or "you have a big attitude". Maybe they just don't understand my joke?

Both 大口を叩く and 態度が大きい always have a negative connotation such like "to talk big" and "to be arrogant/haughty". These words only work as insult, and people who hear these words wouldn't think them as a joke. This connotation is not from the word 大きい, but from the set phrases.

 

[Buntaro]

Sugary,

It sounds like your sarcastic remarks are having the opposite effect of what you intended. Sometimes such remarks don't translate well from one culture to another. Perhaps it would be good to stop using such sarcasm for a while.