器(うつわ)が大(おお)きい

うつわがおおきい
expression
magnanimous; big-hearted; having great capacity as a person
personality
1. magnanimous; big-hearted; having great personal capacity
Describes a person who has the capacity to lead, tolerate, and handle difficult situations without being petty. Implies large-scale thinking and generosity of spirit.
あの社長(しゃちょう)は器(うつわ)が大(おお)きい。
That company president is magnanimous.
器(うつわ)が大(おお)きい人(ひと)は小(ちい)さなことで怒(おこ)らない。
A big-hearted person doesn't get angry over small things.
リーダーには器(うつわ)が大(おお)きい人物(じんぶつ)が求(もと)められる。
Leaders are expected to be people of great personal capacity.

Literally "one's vessel is large." 器(うつわ) (vessel, container) is used metaphorically to mean a person's capacity or caliber. A person with a large 器(うつわ) can accommodate many people and situations. The opposite, 器(うつわ)が小(ちい)さい, describes someone who is petty or narrow-minded.

Usage

Used as praise, typically for leaders or respected figures. Common in business and political contexts. Can also be used self-deprecatingly: 私(わたし)は器(うつわ)が小(ちい)さいから (I don't have the capacity for that).

Similar words

Related Words

Related: 懐(ふところ)が深(ふか)い
Compare: 太(ふと)っ腹(ぱら) (generous)
Related: 器(うつわ)が小(ちい)さい (small-minded)
Compare: 包容力(ほうようりょく) (capacity to embrace)
Compare: 心(こころ)が広(ひろ)い (broad-minded)
Compare: 度量(どりょう) (magnanimity)
Compare: 大度(たいど) (magnanimity)
general
Added 2026.4.27 1:29 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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