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.
問題の大小にかかわらず報告してください。
Please report regardless of the magnitude of the problem.
この仕事は大小さまざまなリスクがある。
This job has risks of various magnitudes.
被害の大小を調べている。
They are investigating the extent of the damage.
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.