1.
life-size; life-sized; actual size
The same size as the real person or object, used especially for figures, statues, and representations.
等身大のフィギュアが展示されている。
A life-size figure is on display.
等身大の自分でいることが大切だ。
It's important to be your authentic self.
美術館には等身大の蝋人形が並んでいて、まるで本物の人のようだった。
Life-size wax figures were lined up in the museum, looking just like real people.
Almost always used in the compound 等身大 (life-size). The literal meaning is physical size equal to the actual body, but it has a popular figurative use meaning "natural, authentic, unpretentious" — being one's true size without exaggeration.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 等身大の — life-size; true-to-life
- 等身大の自分 — one's true/authentic self
- 等身大のパネル — life-size standee/panel
- 等身大で生きる — live authentically
USAGE NOTE:
等身大の自分 is a popular expression meaning to live without pretension, accepting oneself as one is. This figurative use is extremely common in self-help, personal essays, and everyday conversation.
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 実物大 — actual size; similar meaning but emphasizes matching the real object, used more for objects than people
- 原寸大 — full scale, actual size; more technical, often used in design and architecture