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概括 (gài kuò) — (verb) to summarize, to generalize; (adjective) brief, general, in broad outline

Definition

概括 is to summarize the main points in broad strokes — more general and 'big-picture' than 总结, which is a fuller recap. As an adjective it describes a brief, rough statement rather than a detailed one (unlike 简短, which is just short).

verb
to summarizeto generalize
adjective
briefgeneralin broad outline

Examples

  • 概括。
    Qǐng nǐ gài kuò yí xià zhè piān wén zhāng de zhòng diǎn.
    Please summarize the key points of this article.
  • 概括。
    Zǒng jīng lǐ zài huì yì shàng gài kuò le jīn nián de gōng zuò.
    The general manager summarized this year's work at the meeting.
  • 概括，。
    Zhè ge gài kuò de shuō fǎ suī rán jiǎn dān, dàn hěn zhǔn què.
    This broad statement is simple but very accurate.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

概gàigeneral outline
括kuòinclude

概 carries general outline and 括 carries include, so the word means to put things in a broad outline.

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.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
木木mùwood
Sound part声符shēngfú
既
既jì概gài
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

概 pairs 木 (wood) with 既 as its sound part; the character meant a strickle.

Open 概 →

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
手手shǒuhand
Sound part声符shēngfú
𠯑
𠯑𠯑括kuò
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

括 combines 手, a hand, with 𠯑, which gives the sound.

Open 括 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 5HSK 2.0 Level 5Thinking & Cognition

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