1.
masterpiece, major work, epic, magnum opus
A large-scale or significant creative work, such as a novel, film, painting, or musical composition. Emphasizes the scale and ambition of the work rather than necessarily its quality.
彼の最新の大作を読んだ。
I read his latest major work.
三時間を超える大作映画だ。
It's an epic film that runs over three hours.
画家が十年かけて完成させた大作が、美術館で初めて公開された。
The major work that the painter spent ten years completing was exhibited at the museum for the first time.
大作 emphasizes the scale and ambition of a creative work.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 大作映画: epic film, blockbuster
- 大作小説: major novel
- 超大作: mega-production, blockbuster
- 渾身の大作: a work poured one's heart into
NOTE:
大作 focuses on scale (length, scope, ambition) rather than quality. A 大作 is not necessarily a 名作 (masterpiece in terms of quality), though the two often overlap.
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 名作: masterpiece (emphasis on quality and acclaim)
- 大作: major work (emphasis on scale and ambition)
- 傑作: masterwork (emphasis on excellence)