概括 (gàikuò) — to summarize; to generalize

概括 (gàikuò)

概括 means to summarize or give a concise overview of something, capturing the essential points without unnecessary detail. It also functions as an adjective meaning "concise" or "general."

Meanings

1. [verb] to summarize; to generalize; to give a concise account
2. [adjective] concise; general; broad in scope

Example Sentences

能否用几句话概括一下这篇文章的主旨？ Néng fǒu yòng jǐ jù huà gàikuò yīxià zhè piān wénzhāng de zhǔzhǐ? Can you summarize the main point of this article in a few sentences?

他的演讲语言简洁，概括能力很强。 Tā de yǎnjiǎng yǔyán jiǎnjié, gàikuò nénglì hěn qiáng. His speech was concise and demonstrated strong ability to summarize.

这句话概括了整个运动的精神实质。 Zhè jù huà gàikuòle zhěnggè yùndòng de jīngshén shízhì. This sentence summarized the spiritual essence of the entire movement.

这本书内容概括，适合入门读者阅读。 Zhè běn shū nèiróng gàikuò, shìhé rùmén dúzhě yuèdú. The content of this book is concise and general, suitable for beginners.

老师用一个词概括了这种文学现象。 Lǎoshī yòng yī gè cí gàikuòle zhè zhǒng wénxué xiànxiàng. The teacher summarized this literary phenomenon with a single word.

报告对项目进展情况作出了简明的概括。 Bàogào duì xiàngmù jìnzhǎn qíngkuàng zuòchūle jiǎnmíng de gàikuò. The report gave a brief and clear summary of the project progress.

Collocations

Usage Notes

概括 and 总结 (zǒngjié) are closely related but differ in emphasis. 概括 stresses condensing a complex idea into a brief, general statement (the breadth of coverage), while 总结 implies drawing lessons or conclusions after a process has ended (the finality of the review). 概括 can describe both the action and the quality of a statement being concise.

As an adjective, 概括 describes writing or speech that is broad and general rather than detailed. The adverbial phrase 概括地说 (broadly speaking, to put it concisely) is useful in academic and formal oral presentations.

Memory Hook

GAI (概, approximate/general) + KUO (括, to enclose/include) = to enclose all the general points in one brief statement.