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概要 (gài yào) — summary, outline, essentials

Definition

概要 is a formal, written noun for a brief summary capturing the key points of a longer text or report. Unlike a 摘要 (zhāiyào), which highlights a paper's findings, 概要 focuses on the overall structure and essentials.

noun
summaryoutlineessentials

Examples

  • 概要。
    Qǐng xiān kàn zhè běn shū de gài yào.
    Please read the summary of this book first.
  • 概要。
    Huì yì gài yào míng tiān huì fā gěi dà jiā.
    The meeting outline will be distributed to everyone tomorrow.
  • 概要。
    Tā xiě le yí fèn xiàng mù gài yào.
    He wrote a project summary.

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gàioutline
要yàoessentials

概 and 要 both point to the main outlines and essentials of something.

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 →

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

要 began as a drawing of a person with both hands pointing to the waist.

Open 要 →
Appears in
Abstract ConceptsReading & Writing

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