มหึมา
enormous
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 enormous、gigantic
This word describes something overwhelmingly large in physical size or scale.
enormous、gigantic
Describes an object, structure, event, or undertaking whose size or scale is exceptionally large.
-
คลื่นลูกมหึมากำลังพัดเข้าหาฝั่ง khlʉ̂ʉn lûuk máhʉ̀maa kamlaŋ phát khâw hǎa fàŋ A huge wave is sweeping toward the shore. คลื่นลูกมหึมากำลังพัดเข้าหาฝั่ง details
Learning notes
Explanation
มหึมา is much stronger than simply saying that something is big. It suggests size or scale far beyond the ordinary, often creating a sense of awe or astonishment. As a Thai adjective, it normally follows the noun it describes, as in ถังมหึมา, “an enormous tank.” It also appears in the useful pattern มีขนาดมหึมา, meaning “to be enormous in size.” It can describe physical objects such as buildings, ships, animals, and waves, as well as the scale of projects or undertakings.
Usage
It is used when vividly describing enormous buildings, machinery, natural phenomena, or exceptionally large projects. It is especially suitable for news, explanatory writing, and storytelling where the extraordinary scale needs emphasis.
Caution
For something that is merely big, ใหญ่ is more natural. Because มหึมา is emphatic, it can sound exaggerated when the object is only moderately large. It primarily concerns size or scale; to call a person or achievement “great” in an evaluative sense, ยิ่งใหญ่ is usually more appropriate.
Differences from similar words
1 enormous synonyms
-
มโหฬาร likewise means enormous or vast and is very close to มหึมา. Both can vividly describe exceptionally large structures or undertakings.
-
ใหญ่ is the ordinary, broadly used word for “big.” มหึมา is much stronger and emphasizes overwhelming size or scale.