Meaning and Usage
The adjective おびただしい is used to describe something that is extremely large in quantity or degree, often implying an overwhelming or astonishing amount. It is a formal and somewhat literary word, commonly found in written Japanese or formal speech.
Common Contexts
You will often see おびただしい used with nouns related to numbers, amounts, or intensity, such as おびただしい数 (an enormous number), おびただしい量 (a huge amount), or おびただしい被害 (extensive damage).
Collocations and Patterns
- おびただしい数: an enormous number, used when emphasizing countless or very many items.
- おびただしい量: a huge amount, often for liquids, substances, or abstract quantities.
- おびただしい被害: extensive damage, used in contexts like disasters or accidents.
Nuance and Register
This word carries a strong emphasis on scale and is more formal than everyday words like たくさん or いっぱい. It is rarely used in casual conversation but is useful for writing reports, news, or formal descriptions.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse おびただしい with words meaning 'many' or 'much' in casual contexts. Remember that おびただしい implies an overwhelming or extraordinary amount, so it is not appropriate for simple counts or casual speech.