综述 (zōngshù) — to synthesize; review article

综述 (zōngshù)

综述 means to synthesize or provide a comprehensive review, especially of existing research or developments in a field. As a noun, it refers to a review article or literature review — a scholarly work that surveys and synthesizes the existing body of research on a topic. It is a fundamental term in Chinese academic writing and research methodology.

Meanings

1. [v] to synthesize; to provide a comprehensive review of
2. [n] a review article; a literature review; a comprehensive survey

Example Sentences

这篇文献综述系统梳理了近二十年来国内外关于气候变化的实证研究。 Zhè piān wénxiàn zōngshù xìtǒng shūlǐle jìn èrshí nián lái guónèiwài guānyú qìhòu biànhuà de shízhèng yánjiū. This literature review systematically organized empirical research on climate change both domestically and internationally over the past twenty years.

综述类论文要求作者对领域内的核心文献进行全面的批判性评价。 Zōngshù lèi lùnwén yāoqiú zuòzhě duì lǐngyù nèi de héxīn wénxiàn jìnxíng quánmiàn de pīpànxìng píngjià. Review articles require authors to conduct comprehensive critical evaluations of the core literature in the field.

年度研究综述报告反映了该学科当前的研究热点与前沿问题。 Niándù yánjiū zōngshù bàogào fǎnyìngle gāi xuékē dāngqián de yánjiū rèdiǎn yǔ qiányán wèntí. Annual research review reports reflect the current research hotspots and frontier issues in the discipline.

这本书对二十世纪西方文学理论的发展进行了全面综述。 Zhè běn shū duì èrshí shìjì xīfāng wénxué lǐlùn de fāzhǎn jìnxíngle quánmiàn zōngshù. This book provides a comprehensive review of the development of Western literary theory in the twentieth century.

博士生在开题阶段必须提交一份高质量的文献综述，以证明其学术积累。 Bóshìshēng zài kāití jiēduàn bìxū tíjiāo yī fèn gāo zhìliàng de wénxiàn zōngshù, yǐ zhèngmíng qí xuéshù jīlěi. Doctoral students must submit a high-quality literature review at the proposal stage to demonstrate their academic knowledge base.

这篇综述涵盖了来自三十个国家的两百余项独立研究成果。 Zhè piān zōngshù hángàile láizì sānshí gè guójiā de liǎng bǎi yú xiàng dúlì yánjiū chéngguǒ. This review article covered more than two hundred independent research findings from thirty countries.

Collocations

Usage Notes

综述 is a technical academic term. As a noun, 文献综述 (literature review) is one of the most important sections of any academic thesis or research paper. A systematic review (系统综述) is the gold standard in evidence-based medicine and social sciences, synthesizing all available evidence on a topic.

The distinction from 概述 (gàishù) is important: 概述 gives a general overview for accessibility, while 综述 is a scholarly synthesis of existing work — it requires the author to evaluate, compare, and integrate sources rather than merely describe them. 综述 is not used in casual speech and belongs exclusively to academic and professional discourse.

Memory Hook

综 (to synthesize, to bring together — the silk radical suggests weaving) + 述 (to narrate): "weaving together many threads of research into a coherent narrative" — the literature review.