大体
Most・mostly, Adequately・generally, For the most part, Roughly・approximately, In the first place
Structure
だいたい + Number(1)
だいたい + の + Noun
(1) Degree
Explanation
大体 is an adverb used to express the general gist or approximate state of something. Because of this, it has a few different applications in Japanese. 大体 is typically translated into English as 'approximately', 'mostly', or 'on the whole'.
Just like other adverbs indicating quantity, 大体 can be used to modify an entire sentence, or it can be attached directly to a noun using the pattern 大体の + noun.
- だいたいでいいから、この修理はいくらかかるか教えてください。Just a rough estimate is fine, so could you please tell me how much this repair will cost?
- 週末はだいたい家で映画を見ています。On weekends, I mostly watch movies at home.
- だいたいの学生がその試験に合格しました。The majority of students passed that exam.
Much like そもそも, which means 'in the first place', 大体 can carry this same nuance. This usage is often easy to spot, as the sentence will typically express frustration about a situation that has gone wrong.
- だいたい君が約束を忘れたのが悪いんだろう。In the first place, it's your fault for forgetting the promise, isn't it?
Fun Fact
A close relative of 大体 is the noun 根本, meaning 'root' or 'foundation'. Following this idea, 大体 is used to point to the 'core' of a matter, before any changes or details are added. This is the source of its 'in essence' meaning.- 二つの計画は、名前は違うけど内容はだいたい同じだ。The two plans have different names, but their content is essentially the same.
Examples
「宿題は大体終わった。」
'I've mostly finished my homework.' (for the most part)
「駅まで大体１０キロくらいです。」
'It's approximately 10 kilometers to the station.' (about)
「大体のあらすじを教えてください。」
'Please tell me the general plot.' (outline)
料理をしている夫婦、
妻：「味はどう？」
夫：「大体いい感じだけど、もう少し塩がいるかも。」
Married couple cooking:
Wife: 'How is the taste?'
Husband: 'It's mostly good, but it might need a little more salt.'
友人との会話：「私は大体夜１１時ごろ寝ます。」
Conversation with a friend: 'I usually go to bed around 11 PM.'
この辺りのアパートは、大体静かです。
The apartments around here are generally quiet. (for the most part)
部屋を片付けている親子：「大体でいいから、本を本棚に戻して。」
Parent and child cleaning a room: 'A rough job is fine, so just put the books back on the bookshelf.' (Just get it done)
医者が患者に説明している：「大体は、この薬でよくなります。」
Doctor explaining to a patient: 'In most cases, you'll get better with this medicine.' (generally)
友達との会話：「あのカバン、大体いくらだった？」
Conversation between friends: 'Roughly how much was that bag?' (approximately)
姉妹での会話：「旅行の計画、大体決まった？」
Chat between sisters: 'Have you mostly decided on the plans for the trip?' (for the most part)
解説：「大体の猫は魚が好きだと言われている。」
Commentary: 'It is said that most cats like fish.' (the majority of・generally)
「大体、こんな時間に電話してくることがおかしいんだよ。」
'In the first place, it's weird for them to call at a time like this.'