概 (gài) — (bound form) general; approximate (used in 大概, 概况, etc.); (bound form) without exception; categorically (used in 一概, 概不, etc.)
Definition
概 is a bound morpheme — it never stands alone. 大概 means 'probably / roughly'; 一概 means 'without exception, categorically.'
bound form
generalapproximate (used in 大概, 概况, etc.)without exceptioncategorically (used in 一概, 概不, etc.)
Examples
- 。Tā dà gài bù lái le.He probably isn't coming.
- 。Zhè lǐ yí gài jìn zhǐ xī yān.Smoking is categorically prohibited here.
- 概。Yí qiè hòu guǒ gài bú fù zé.We are not responsible for any consequences.
Origin
Sound + meaning六书liùshū
形声xíngshēngMost characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.
概 pairs 木 (wood) with 既 as its sound part; the character meant a strickle.
Appears in
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