This site will be taken down March 31st, 2026.

This was not an easy decision to make. For the last couple years, I have been struggling to find motivation for this site and to keep up with basic maintenance and security updates. With the rise of AI and more sophisticated tools, the usefulness of sites like this is questionable and traffic has nose-dived. I just don't have it in me to keep doing this. Thank you all for 10 years of support!

Zach

あいつは小山の大将だった。

Sentence Analyzer

あいつ 小山 大将 だった

English Translation

He was the cock of the walk.

Furigana

あいつは小山(こやま)大将(たいしょう)だった。

Romanji

Aitsu wa koyama no taishō datta.

Words

彼奴 (あいつ、きゃつ、かやつ、あやつ)
he; she; that guy
()
topic marker particle; indicates contrast with another option (stated or unstated); adds emphasis
小山 (こやま)
hill; knoll
()
indicates possessive; nominalizes verbs and adjectives; substitutes for "ga" in subordinate phrases; (at sentence-end, falling tone) indicates a confident conclusion; (at sentence-end) indicates emotional emphasis; (at sentence-end, rising tone) indicates question
大将 (たいしょう、だいしょう)
general; admiral; boss; leader; local kingpin; old chap; mate; boss; chief; man; athlete who competes in the last match of a team competition (kendo, judo, etc.)
()
be; is; indicates past or completed action; indicates light imperative

Kanji

Readings: ショウ、 ちい.さい、 こ-、 お-、 さ-
Meanings: little, small
Readings: サン、 セン、 やま
Meaning: mountain
Readings: ダイ、 タイ、 おお-、 おお.きい、 -おお.いに
Meanings: large, big
Readings: ショウ、 ソウ、 まさ.に、 はた、 まさ、 ひきい.る、 もって
Meanings: leader, commander, general, admiral, or, and again, soon, from now on, just about