具体 (jùtǐ)

具体 describes something that is clearly defined, detailed, and tangible rather than vague, general, or abstract, often implying practical specificity.

Meanings

[adjective] specific, concrete, detailed
[adverb] specifically, concretely, in detail

Example Sentences

请你具体说明一下这个计划的实施步骤。 Qǐng nǐ jùtǐ shuōmíng yīxià zhège jìhuà de shíshī bùzhòu. Please explain the implementation steps of this plan in specific detail.

你的建议太抽象了，能给出一些具体的例子吗？ Nǐ de jiànyì tài chōuxiàng le, néng gěi chū yīxiē jùtǐ de lìzi ma? Your suggestion is too abstract -- can you give some concrete examples?

具体情况需要具体分析，不能一概而论。 Jùtǐ qíngkuàng xūyào jùtǐ fēnxī, bù néng yīgài ér lùn. Specific situations require specific analysis and cannot be treated uniformly.

会议讨论了公司未来一年的具体发展目标。 Huìyì tǎolùn le gōngsī wèilái yī nián de jùtǐ fāzhǎn mùbiāo. The meeting discussed the company's specific development goals for the coming year.

我想知道合同中关于付款方式的具体条款。 Wǒ xiǎng zhīdào hétong zhōng guānyú fùkuǎn fāngshì de jùtǐ tiáokuǎn. I would like to know the specific terms in the contract regarding the payment method.

领导布置了任务，但没有给出具体的操作指引。 Lǐngdǎo bùzhì le rènwù, dàn méiyǒu gěi chū jùtǐ de cāozuò zhǐyǐn. The leader assigned the task but did not provide specific operational guidance.

Collocations

Collocation	Meaning
具体情况	specific situation
具体措施	specific measures
具体内容	specific content/details
具体分析	specific analysis
具体步骤	specific steps
具体而言	specifically speaking

Usage Notes

具体 is the opposite of 抽象 (abstract) and 笼统 (vague/general). It is one of the most common adjectives in spoken and written Chinese, used whenever precision and detail are needed. The phrase 具体情况具体分析 (analyze specific situations specifically) is a well-known saying emphasizing the need to avoid one-size-fits-all thinking.

具体而言 (specifically speaking) is an important discourse marker at B2 level, used to transition from a general statement to a specific elaboration. 更具体地说 (more specifically) serves the same function and is common in academic and business Chinese.

Memory Hook

具 means "to have/possess" and 体 means "body/form" -- 具体 is something that has a body and shape, a tangible form you can point to, not a floating abstraction.