riesig

Riesig is a German adjective meaning enormous, gigantic, or immense. It describes size, extent, or importance and conveys a high degree of largeness more emphatically than words like groß. It can modify a noun directly, as in ein riesiges Haus, or be used predicatively: Das Haus ist riesig. It can also function adverbially in phrases such as riesig viel Geld gesammelt.

Etymology and form: Riesig derives from the noun Riese, meaning “giant,” with the derivational suffix -ig. Like other German adjectives, its ending changes with gender, number, and case: der riesige Berg, die riesige Stadt, das riesige Auto; plural die riesigen Berge. In formal writing it is common, but often slightly informal in tone; for very formal contexts, alternatives such as enorm, gigantisch, or gewaltig may be preferred.

Usage notes: Riesig is typically used for striking or extreme size and is common in everyday speech, journalism, advertising, and literature. It can carry a sense of hyperbole depending on context. Figuratively, one may speak of riesige Bedeutung or riesige Herausforderungen to emphasize scale or impact.

Related terms: Riese (the giant); riesig as an intensifier; synonyms include enorm, gigantisch, gewaltig; antonyms include klein or winzig.