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总的来说 (zǒng de lái shuō) — on the whole; generally speaking; in summary

Definition

Sentence-level discourse marker that summarizes what was just said — a spoken/written equivalent of 'on the whole' or 'all in all.' It comes at the start of a sentence and frames an overall judgment.

verb
on the wholegenerally speakingin summary

Examples

  • 总的来说，。
    zǒng de lái shuō, Zhè cì lǚ xíng hěn yú kuài.
    On the whole, this trip was very pleasant.
  • 总的来说，。
    zǒng de lái shuō, Zhè ge fāng àn hái shì kě xíng de.
    Generally speaking, this plan is still feasible.
  • 总的来说，。
    zǒng de lái shuō, Zhè bù diàn yǐng zhí dé yí kàn.
    All in all, this movie is 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 →

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 →

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 →
Appears in
Communication & Speech

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