1.
large and small; sizes
Things of various sizes; the contrast between big and small.
大小さまざまな石が並んでいる。
Stones of various sizes are lined up.
大小2つの箱を用意した。
I prepared two boxes, one large and one small.
2.
size
The dimension or magnitude of something.
大小の差に関係なく平等に扱う。
To treat equally regardless of size.
大小 combines 大 (large) and 小 (small). It refers either to things of various sizes or to size as a concept.
USAGE:
As a noun, it can mean both 'large and small things' and 'size' (as a dimension).
COMMON EXPRESSIONS:
- 大小さまざま: of various sizes
- 大小の差: difference in size
- 大小にかかわらず: regardless of size
- 大小2つの〜: two ~, one large and one small
SIMILAR COMPOUND PATTERNS:
- 多少: more or less, somewhat (quantity)
- 長短: long and short; pros and cons
- 高低: high and low; pitch variation
These paired-kanji compounds (対義語 combinations) are common in Japanese.