粗略 (cūlüè) — rough, approximate

HSK 4 | adjective | rough, not detailed, approximate

粗略 (cūlüè)

粗略 describes something done or given in a rough, approximate, or cursory manner, without attention to detail or precision.

Meanings

  1. [adjective] rough, approximate, cursory, not thorough

Example Sentences

我只是粗略地看了一下这份报告。 Wǒ zhǐshì cūlüè de kàn le yīxià zhè fèn bàogào. I only skimmed through this report roughly.

他做了一个粗略的估计,认为需要三天完成。 Tā zuò le yīgè cūlüè de gūjì, rènwéi xūyào sān tiān wánchéng. He made a rough estimate that it would take three days to complete.

这只是一个粗略的计划,还需要进一步完善。 Zhè zhǐshì yīgè cūlüè de jìhuà, hái xūyào jìnyībù wánshàn. This is just a rough plan that still needs to be further refined.

粗略地统计,大约有五百人参加了活动。 Cūlüè de tǒngjì, dàyuē yǒu wǔbǎi rén cānjiā le huódòng. Roughly speaking, about five hundred people attended the event.

Collocations

Collocation Meaning
粗略估计 (cūlüè gūjì) rough estimate
粗略了解 (cūlüè liǎojiě) cursory understanding
粗略地看 (cūlüè de kàn) to glance through
粗略介绍 (cūlüè jièshào) brief/rough introduction

Usage Notes

粗略 is always an adjective or adverb and is not used to describe people's character (for that, use 粗心 cūxīn "careless" or 粗鲁 cūlǔ "rude"). It often appears as an adverb with 地: 粗略地 (cūlüè de). It contrasts with 精确 (jīngquè, precise) and 详细 (xiángxì, detailed).

Memory Hook

粗 means "coarse/rough" and 略 means "brief/outline" — 粗略 is a "coarse outline," just the rough shape without fine details.