大体上 (dà tǐ shàng) — generally speaking, by and large, on the whole

Definition

A sentence adverb meaning 'generally speaking, on the whole' — it signals that the speaker is offering a broad overview with possible exceptions, not an absolute statement. Typically placed at the start of the sentence.

adverb
generally speakingby and largeon the whole

Examples

  • 大体上，。
    dà tǐ shàng, Zhè ge fāng àn shì kě xíng de.
    Generally speaking, this plan is feasible.
  • 大体上。
    Tā de yì jiàn dà tǐ shàng shì zhèng què de.
    His opinion is generally correct.
  • 大体上。
    Zhè cì huó dòng dà tǐ shàng hái suàn chéng gōng.
    This event was generally still successful.

Origin

Derived word
构词法gòucífǎ
后缀hòuzhuìSuffix

A fixed syllable at the end that turns the word into a noun, a person, a place or the like.

大体general
大dàbig体tǐbody
偏正Modifier + head
上shàngon

大体 means the main outline, and 上 adds the sense of on the whole.

Characters in this word

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

The form 大 is a picture of a person standing and facing forward, not of someone stretching their arms.

Open 大 →

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 體; 体 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
骨骨gǔbone
Sound part声符shēngfú
豊
豊lǐ體tǐ
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 體 pairs 骨 (bone) with 豊 as a sound part; this note is about 體, not about the parts of 体.

Open 体 →

An abstract idea shown by a mark or a diagram rather than by a picture of an object.

上 is drawn as a short horizontal line placed above a longer arc, marking a position above that arc.

Open 上 →

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