1.
life-size; life-sized; full-scale
The same size as the actual person or object being represented.
等身大のフィギュアが展示されている。
A life-size figure is on display.
等身大の鏡で全身をチェックした。
I checked my whole body in a full-length mirror.
等身大のガンダムを見に、お台場に行った。
I went to Odaiba to see the life-size Gundam.
2.
true to oneself; natural; unpretentious
Figuratively, describes a way of living or expressing oneself without exaggeration, pretense, or trying to appear bigger or better than one really is.
等身大の自分でいたい。
I want to be true to myself.
SNSでは等身大の姿を見せることが大事だ。
On social media, it's important to show your genuine self.
背伸びせず、等身大で生きていくと決めた。
I decided to live authentically, without pretending to be more than I am.
Literally "same-body-size" — the kanji 等 (equal) + 身 (body) + 大 (size).
SENSE 1 (CONCRETE):
Used for statues, figures, mirrors, and reproductions that match actual size. Often appears with の as a modifier.
- 等身大のフィギュア: life-size figure
- 等身大の像: life-size statue
SENSE 2 (FIGURATIVE):
A popular concept in self-help and social media contexts, meaning to be authentic without exaggeration or pretense. Often contrasted with 背伸びする (to overreach, try to appear bigger).
- 等身大の自分: one's true self
- 等身大で生きる: to live authentically
USAGE:
Functions as both a noun and a no-adjective (等身大の〜). The figurative sense has become very common in modern Japanese.