总的说来 (zǒng de shuō lái) — generally speaking, all in all, overall

Definition

A formal conjunctive phrase used to sum up or generalize a preceding discussion — similar to ‘overall / all in all.’ It typically opens a summarizing sentence after several points have been made.

conjunction
generally speakingall in alloverall

Examples

  • 总的说来，。
    zǒng de shuō lái, Tā de fāng àn shì kě xíng de.
    Generally speaking, his plan is feasible.
  • 总的说来，。
    zǒng de shuō lái, Jīn nián de jīng jì zēng zhǎng chāo chū le yù qī.
    Overall, this year's economic growth exceeded expectations.
  • 总的说来，，。
    zǒng de shuō lái, Zhè bù diàn yǐng suī rán yǒu xiē quē diǎn, dàn hái shì zhí dé yí kàn.
    All in all, although this movie has some flaws, it's still worth watching.

Origin

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 總; 总 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
糸糸mìrope
Sound part声符shēngfú
悤
悤cōng總zǒng
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 總 has 糸, a rope, and 悤 as a sound part; the rope part is for binding together. This account is for 總, not for 总.

Open 总 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
白白báiwhite
Sound part声符shēngfú
勺
勺sháo的de
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

的 pairs 白, related to white or brightness, with 勺, which gives a clue to the sound. Its older form 旳 meant bright.

Open 的 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 說; 说 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
言言yán
Sound part声符shēngfú
兌
兌duì說shuō
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 說 pairs 言 (meaning) with 兌 (sound); the simplified 说 is not the form described here.

Open 说 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 來; 来 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 來 shows a wheat plant: a central ear, upward leaves, and downward stem and roots. The simplified 来 is a later shorthand.

Open 来 →

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