1.
enormous; tremendous; severe; immense
Describes damage, impact, or influence that is extremely large in scale. Almost always used for negative consequences such as damage, harm, or loss.
被害は甚大だった。
The damage was enormous.
台風で甚大な被害が出た。
The typhoon caused tremendous damage.
経済への影響は甚大で、回復には何年もかかるだろう。
The economic impact is severe, and recovery will likely take years.
USAGE:
A formal adjective used almost exclusively with negative events — damage, harm, loss, or adverse effects. Very common in news reports and official statements about disasters, accidents, and crises. Not used for positive outcomes.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 甚大な被害 (enormous damage)
- 甚大な影響 (tremendous impact)
- 甚大な損害 (immense losses)
- 甚大な損失 (severe loss)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 膨大: vast, enormous — used for quantity or volume, not limited to negative contexts
- 莫大: enormous, vast — used for amounts (money, costs), not limited to damage