等身大(とうしんだい)

とうしんだい
noun
life-size; true to oneself
descriptivesize
1. life-size; life-sized; full-scale
The same size as the actual person or object being represented.
等身大(とうしんだい)のフィギュアが展示(てんじ)されている。
A life-size figure is on display.
等身大(とうしんだい)の鏡(かがみ)で全身(ぜんしん)をチェックした。
I checked my whole body in a full-length mirror.
等身大(とうしんだい)のガンダムを見(み)に、お台場(だいば)に行(い)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(とうしんだい)の自分(じぶん)でいたい。
I want to be true to myself.
SNSでは等身大(とうしんだい)の姿(すがた)を見(み)せることが大事(だいじ)だ。
On social media, it's important to show your genuine self.
背伸(せの)びせず、等身大(とうしんだい)で生(い)きていくと決(き)めた。
I decided to live authentically, without pretending to be more than I am.

Literally "same-body-size" — the kanji 等(とう) (equal) + 身(しん) (body) + 大(だい) (size).

Sense 1 (CONCRETE)

Used for statues, figures, mirrors, and reproductions that match actual size. Often appears with の as a modifier.

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(せの)びする (to overreach, try to appear bigger).

Usage

Functions as both a noun and a no-adjective (等身大(とうしんだい)の〜). The figurative sense has become very common in modern Japanese.

Related Words

Compare: 原寸大(げんすんだい) (full-size)
general
Added 2026.3.14 22:11 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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